A record attack of Russian drones, Zelensky received by the Pope this Sunday – Liberation
Russia launched on the night of Saturday to Sunday 18 May a record drone attack on many regions of Ukraine, including that of the capital, Kyiv, where a woman was killed, according to Ukrainian authorities, two days after first talks since 2022 who have not led to a truce. This salvo of attacks comes on the eve of an appeal announced by US President Donald Trump with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to try to end the conflict that led to the death of tens of thousands of people, civilians and soldiers combined.
At the same time, Pope Leo XIV, who spoke of Sunday « Martyred Ukraine » awaiting « Negotiations for just and lasting peace »will receive its president Volodymyr Zelensky during the day. « Ukraine finally awaits negotiations for a fair and lasting peace », said Pope Place Saint-Pierre at the end of the mass marking the start of his pontificate, in the presence of an audience of heads of state.
Friday, Russian-Ukrainian peace discussions in Istanbulthe first since spring 2022, highlighted the abyss that separates the positions of Moscow – maximalists – and those of Kyiv, whose army suffers on the front. Vladimir Putin, who spoke publicly on Sunday for the first time in two days, insisted on state television wanting « Eliminate causes » conflict, « Create the conditions for lasting peace » And « Guarantee the security of the Russian state ».
His army, which benefits « Enough troops and means » To carry out this objective according to him, still occupies almost 20 % of the Ukrainian territory which she has invaded since February 2022. On the night of Saturday to Sunday, Russia « Attacked 273 Shahed type explosive drones and lures », The Ukrainian air force said in the morning. According to her, 88 were « Destroyed » by its anti -aircraft defense and 128 others lost.
This figure of 273 drones launched is « A record », deplored the Deputy Prime Minister Ioulia Svyrydenko, assuring that « The objective of Russia is clear: to continue to massacre civilians ». « A woman died of her injuries following an enemy attack in the Oboukhiv district, » Locality south of Kyiv, the head of the regional military administration, Mykola Kalachnyk said on Telegram.
He reported three hospitalized injured, including a four -year -old child. This attack notably touched « A residential building », The Ukrainian rescue aid in a press release. Two people were also « Wounded » In a drone strike in Kherson (south), according to the municipal authorities.
This series of night attacks from Russia has caused an avalanche of convictions from Ukrainian officials. « For Russia, Istanbul negotiations are just a blanket, Putin wants war », cracked her right arm of Volodymyr ZelenskyAndriï Iermak, head of the presidential administration. « This is what Putin’s real desire for peace looks like », Has embedded Rouslan Stefantchouk, the president of the rada, the Ukrainian parliament. For its part, the Russian army assured that it had intercepted a total of 25 Ukrainian drones in the night and in the morning.
In the absence of a major advance obtained Friday in Istanbul – only an exchange of prisoners was concluded – Donald Trump said on Saturday that he would speak by phone on Monday at Vladimir Putin To evoke an end to warbefore exchanging with Zelensky and several leaders of member states of NATO. Objective of the call: « Put an end to the blood bath », The American President, who has since returned to the White House Pousse Moscow and Kyiv said on his Truth Social Platform to stop fighting. This telephone exchange « Is in preparation », confirmed the Kremlin on Saturday evening to the state agency TASS.
As it stands, as shown by the bilateral meeting on Friday, under Turkish mediation, which lasted less than two hours, the positions of the Russians and the Ukrainians remain irreconcilable. The Kremlin maintains maximalist claims: that Ukraine renounces to join NATO, abandons four of its regions partially controlled by Russia, in addition to the Crimea annexed in 2014, and which the Western arms deliveries cease. Ukraine firmly rejects these requirements, asking that the Russian army, which still occupies almost 20 % of its territory, withdraws from it. What Moscow does not have the intention. To avoid a new Russian invasion in the future, Kyiv also calls for « Safety guarantees » solid.
