President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his frustration with the war in Ukraine after Donald Trump rejected his pleas for Tomahawk missiles following overnight Russian strikes that killed six people, including two children.
The Ukrainian leader urged the European Union and the United States to put more pressure on Vladimir Putin after the devastating attacks that targeted residential buildings and power infrastructure across multiple regions.
Sharing videos and pictures of the destruction caused by Russia’s strikes, Zelensky wrote: “Another night proving that Russia does not feel enough pressure for dragging out the war.”
Six Dead Including Baby and 12-Year-Old
The strikes, which lasted most of Tuesday night, targeted residential buildings and power infrastructure in several regions, including Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, where fires continued to burn through the night.
It has been reported that the children killed were a six-month-old baby and a 12-year-old girl.
Air raid alerts continued to sound through the morning as emergency services rescued people across multiple regions after drone debris sparked fires in residential buildings.
“Ordinary Cities Under Fire”
“Our air defence forces, mobile fire groups, and drone interceptor crews were working all night and into the morning. Ordinary cities have been under fire, primarily our energy infrastructure, but many residential buildings have also been hit,” Zelensky said.
Ukrainian officials said air defence units intercepted most of the missiles and drones launched by Russia, but that several made direct hits, leaving neighbourhoods without power.
“Russian Words About Diplomacy Mean Nothing”
Zelensky added: “Russian words about diplomacy mean nothing as long as the Russian leadership does not feel critical problems. And this can be ensured only through sanctions, long-range capabilities, and coordinated diplomacy among all our partners.”
It is high time the European Union adopted a strong sanctions package. We also count on strong sanctions measures from the United States and the G7, from all those who seek peace.”
“World Must Not Remain Silent”
He also said the world must not “remain silent now” and called for a “united response to Russia’s vile strikes.”
The passionate plea reflects growing Ukrainian frustration that Western support remains insufficient to deter Russian attacks on civilian targets.
Targeting Energy Infrastructure Ahead of Winter
The attacks are part of a renewed Russian campaign targeting energy facilities ahead of winter, mirroring last year’s devastating strikes that left millions in the dark.
Putin’s strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure aims to break Ukrainian morale and force capitulation through suffering during the harsh winter months.
Trump Pulls Back on Tomahawk Deal
Zelensky’s plea came as frustration mounts in Kyiv over Trump’s decision to pull back from the Tomahawk deal, which Ukrainian officials said would have aided their efforts to strike deep behind Russian lines.
Depending on the variant, the long-range missiles can strike targets at a range of between 1,000 and 1,600 miles.
It has been suggested that a modest supply could allow the Ukrainian army to inflict significant damage to key Russian infrastructure.
Trump Reverses Course
Trump initially suggested he might provide Tomahawks if Moscow continued its offensive, but reversed course after meeting with Zelensky on Friday.
He said he hoped the war could be resolved “without thinking about Tomahawks,” which the US “needs.”
The reversal represents a significant blow to Ukrainian hopes for advanced weaponry that could change the battlefield dynamic.
“Productive” But No Tomahawks
During that meeting, Zelensky pressed for advanced missiles and additional air defence systems, describing the discussions as “productive” but acknowledging that his request for Tomahawks was not approved.
The diplomatic language masks Ukrainian disappointment at Trump’s unwillingness to provide the long-range strike capability they desperately seek.
“Everyone Who Helps With Long-Range Capabilities”
In his lengthy post on Wednesday, Zelensky added: “Everyone who is now helping Ukraine with air defence systems and missiles for them is protecting lives. We are grateful for that.”
He also wrote that “everyone who helps Ukraine with long-range capabilities will bring the end of the war closer.”
The statement subtly pressures Western allies to provide the weapons Ukraine believes it needs to win.
Trump Positions Himself as Peacemaker
Trump’s Tomahawk reversal comes as he attempts to position himself as a peacemaker, saying he wants to focus on diplomacy rather than escalation.
After the meeting, Trump said he had told both Putin and Zelensky that it was “time to stop the killing and make a deal.”
He wrote on Truth Social: “They should stop where they are. Let both claim victory.”
Fears of Deal Without Ukraine’s Input
Trump was expected to meet Putin in Hungary later this month, a move that raised eyebrows in Kyiv, where officials fear a settlement could be discussed without Ukraine’s input.
However, this week, the plans for the second peace summit between the two were put on hold.
Trump later said that he did not want to have a “wasted meeting.”
“Russians Wanted Too Much”
Key differences in the US and Russia’s proposals for a ceasefire are said to have led to the pause.
A senior European diplomat told Reuters: “I guess the Russians wanted too much and it became evident for the Americans that there will be no deal for Trump in Budapest.
The revelation suggests Russia’s maximalist demands exceeded even Trump’s willingness to pressure Ukraine into concessions.
Russia’s Unchanged Territorial Demands
Meanwhile, on Monday, Moscow insisted that Russia’s territorial demands from Ukraine remain unchanged.
It came after some reports indicated that Putin was reining in his demands for the possibility of a ceasefire.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “This topic was repeatedly raised in various forms during contacts between Russia and the US.”
“The Russian side answered every time, this answer is well known: the consistency of Russia’s position doesn’t change.”
Demands for Crimea and Four Regions
The Kremlin has demanded full control over Crimea as well as areas it currently occupies, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
These demands would require Ukraine to surrender approximately 20% of its territory to Russian control.
Zelensky: No Territory Surrender
Zelensky, however, has vowed not to give up any Ukrainian territories.
This fundamental disagreement between Russia’s maximalist demands and Ukraine’s refusal to cede territory makes any negotiated settlement extremely difficult.
Ukraine’s Impossible Position
Ukraine faces an impossible dilemma:
- Russia continues devastating attacks on civilian infrastructure
- Western allies provide insufficient weapons to strike back effectively
- Trump refuses Tomahawks that could hit Russian targets deep behind lines
- Pressure mounts for negotiations on terms favourable to Russia
- Any deal risks being made without Ukrainian input
Two Children Dead
The deaths of a six-month-old baby and 12-year-old girl in the latest attacks underscore the human cost of the stalled diplomacy.
These civilian casualties—the result of Russian strikes on residential areas—demonstrate why Ukraine demands the capability to strike Russian launch sites and command centres.
Energy War Continues
Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukrainian energy infrastructure ahead of winter represents an attempt to freeze civilians into submission.
Last winter, millions of Ukrainians endured blackouts and freezing temperatures as Russia destroyed power generation and distribution facilities.
Zelensky’s Frustration Boils Over
The Ukrainian president’s unusually direct criticism of insufficient Western pressure on Russia reflects mounting frustration in Kyiv.
After nearly three years of war, with hundreds of thousands dead and cities reduced to rubble, Ukraine watches Western resolve waver as Trump pushes for a deal that could reward Russian aggression.
“Critical Problems” for Russia
Zelensky’s insistence that Russia must “feel critical problems” before genuinely pursuing peace reflects Ukrainian belief that only military pressure will force Putin to negotiate seriously.
Without the ability to strike Russian territory with long-range weapons, Ukraine argues it cannot create the military conditions for favourable negotiations.
As six more bodies are pulled from rubble in Ukrainian cities—including a baby and child—Zelensky’s frustration with Trump’s Tomahawk rejection and insufficient Western pressure crystallises the agonising position Ukraine finds itself in: fighting for survival against a larger neighbour whilst allies urge compromise without providing the weapons that might actually end the war.
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Image Credit:
Владимир Зеленский (31-12-2023) — photo by President of Ukraine, licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. (commons.wikimedia.org)
