Zelensky: Russian Drone Attack “Another 117 Proofs” Of Peace Deal Rejection
Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky said Wednesday that an overnight Russian drone attack that took place after the United States released a prospective Black Sea ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine was “another 117 proofs” that Russia did not seek “real peace”.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it shot down 56 of 117 long range drones launched by Russia during the night of March 25, with 48 drones identified as decoys that crashed without causing damage.
“Dnipro, Sumy, Cherkasy, and other regions came under Russian attack. There was a massive drone strike on Kryvyi Rih – targeting a local enterprise and civilian infrastructure. In Okhtyrka, Sumy region, homes, stores, and civilian infrastructure were damaged. Communities in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions also came under fire” said Zelensky. “Everyone who was affected must be given assistance. But there must also be clear pressure and strong action from the world on Russia – more pressure, more sanctions from the United States – to stop Russian strikes.”
“Launching such large-scale attacks after ceasefire negotiations is a clear signal to the whole world that Moscow is not going to pursue real peace. Since March 11, there has been a U.S. proposal for a total ceasefire, a complete halt to strikes. And literally every night, through its attacks, Russia keeps saying “no” to our partners’ peace proposal.”
Earlier on March 25, the White House published separate statements on agreements reached by negotiations between the United States and Ukraine, as well as negotiations between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia. Zelensky said after the publication of the agreements that Ukraine was willing to adhere to its terms immediately, but the Kremlin has stated that it will only comply after Western sanctions on Russian food producers and exporters are lifted.
While both agreements stated that Ukraine and Russia had “agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea” and on a mutual halt to attacks on energy facilities in both nations, the agreement with Russia will provide Moscow with sanctions relief, with the United States saying it “will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.”