VLADIMIR Putin launched his blitzing attack on Kyiv today to cripple Ukraine and force a “cornered” Volodymyr Zelensky to make a peace deal, a Russia expert has warned.
Twelve innocent civilians died while six children and a pregnant woman were rushed to the hospital following the barbaric attack, ascontinues toover peace talks.
The deadlystrikeswounded over 80 people, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said.
Of these, 42 were taken to the hospital in a serious condition – including a pregnant woman and six children.
Fears are mounting that as recovery operations across the capital continue, more bodies may be found.
said the air attacks caused “significant destruction”.
He added that over 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles.
The Ukrainian President rushed back home from a visit to Southon Thursday after an unprecedented blitz on
Even a raging Donald Trump blasted Putin after Russia's massive missile blitz on Kyiv – telling the tyrant to “STOP!”
Foreign policy experts told The Sun that the timing of the strike shows that “Russia does not want peace”.
They argued that cripling Ukraine with massive attacks might force Zelensky – who is taking pressure from both Trump and Putin – to accept the current peace deal, which favours Russia.
And that Russia will keep bombing Ukraine and kill civilians if Kyiv does not accept the Trump-proposed peace deal.
Dr Stephen Hall, expert in Russian and Post-Soviet Politics, said: “Putin is showing yet again that he doesn't actually want peace, that the Russians don't want peace, and that Russia has the capacity to strike Kyiv and Kharkiv as well.
“Ukraine needs to find a way around this peace deal that the Americans are proposing.
“Ukraine needs American support in terms of intelligence, sharing and in terms of weapons and keeping the Americans on side. The Europeans also need the Americans to be on their side.”
And launching massive attacks using missiles and drones shows that Putin is willing to go on with the strikes if Kyiv does not accept a deal.
Mr Hall said that Ukraine needs to strike a deal as soon as possible, but Trump could force Ukraine into a “corner” to achieve one.
He added: “Donald Trump wants to do a deal as quickly as possible.
“He has this 100 days idea that he has to achieve peace in 100 days, and so the easiest way to achieve that is to coerce Ukraine into a corner.”
“Donald Trump seems to be at least publicly, from what we're being told, losing interest in finding a peaceful settlement.
“Zelensky needs to really bring something to the table. So I think the Ukrainians are trying to work out what they can bring to the table.”
Just hours before the attack, Trump slammed Zelensky for not agreeing to a peace deal and refusing to give up Crimea.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump told reporters: “I think Russia is ready, and a lot of people said Russia wanted to go for the whole thing.
“And I think we have a deal with Russia — we have to get a deal with Zelensky.”;
He added, “I think we have a deal with both. I hope they do it. You would never have had that war if I were president.”;
The Telegraphreported on a seven-point peace plan being drawn up by the US, which could allow Russia to
According to the plan, Putin would stay close to the territory hishave seized from Zelensky, as outlined in an unconfirmed seven-point plan to end the war.
It would leave Ukraine with no clear US security guarantee.
And includes the US offering formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea while implying de facto recognition of other occupied territories.
Meanwhile, JD Vancealso slapped Russia and Ukraine with a blistering ultimatum, warning both countries that the US would “walk away” if they didn't find peace.
