François Lire

JUST IN: EU lawmakers are poised to block the EU–U.S. trade deal after Trump threatened Europe with new tariffs. —Bloomberg

This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike. They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington that will address the end of the war. We will have a discussion with President Trump about key issues. Along with Ukraine, the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO will participate in the conversation. Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security. And at this very moment, the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure. Russians are deliberately killing people, particularly children. As of now, seven people have been killed as a result of the drone strike in Kharkiv, the youngest being a girl who is only a year and a half old, and dozens have been injured, including children. In Zaporizhzhia, missile strikes injured 20 people and killed three. My condolences go out to all of the victims' families and loved ones. There was also a deliberate Russian strike on an energy facility in Odesa owned by an Azerbaijani company, implying that it was an attack not only on us but also on our relations and energy security. The Russian war machine continues to destroy lives despite everything. Putin will commit demonstrative killings to maintain pressure on Ukraine and Europe, as well as to humiliate diplomatic efforts. That is precisely why we are seeking assistance to put an end to the killings. That is why reliable security guarantees are required. That is why Russia should not be rewarded for its participation in this war. The war must be ended. And it is Moscow that must hear the word: “Stop.”

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Once again, Russia turned the night in Ukraine into a nightmare. Waves of missiles and drones struck cities across the country, leaving dozens dead and injured. From Kharkiv to Odesa, from Sumy to Zaporizhzhia – every strike shattered another family, another home. The human cost grows with each attack. This aggression must end. Russia must be stopped.