Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin after a missile strike in Kyiv killed 31 people, including five children, and injured more than 150 others. The attack, one of the deadliest in recent months, targeted residential areas, leaving widespread destruction and prompting international condemnation.
Zelenskyy said only a face-to-face meeting with Putin could bring a breakthrough in stalled negotiations, adding that the scale of civilian casualties had made the need for a political solution urgent. His remarks followed Putin’s recent statement that he supports peace talks “in principle,” though Russia has not indicated any willingness to alter its military objectives.
In response to the attack, Germany announced it would send two Patriot missile-defense systems to Ukraine as part of a broader effort by NATO allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses. The move comes amid growing concerns that Russian strikes are increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure.
The UN Security Council has scheduled emergency consultations to address the escalation. Diplomats say they will push for a resolution condemning the attack, though any action could be blocked by Russia’s veto power.
