Zelensky: "Russia Preparing Additional Attacks"... Peace Talks Reversed in a Day

"Russia regrouping for Donbas attack... Not trusted"
Putin "Ukraine must surrender to stop Mariupol airstrikes"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that the Russian military reversed its announcement of progress in peace negotiations with Ukraine just one day after making it and has been intensifying its offensive. The Ukrainian government strongly reaffirmed its determination to resist, while Russia also shifted to a hardline stance, declaring that airstrikes would only stop if Ukraine surrenders. The Russian military reportedly continued its offensive overnight even in areas where it had promised to reduce military activities.

According to AFP on the 30th (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a national video address, "We do not believe in any flashy slogans," emphasizing, "The Russian military is preparing for additional battles in eastern Ukraine. We will not give up anything and will fight for every meter of our territory."

He continued with a hardline statement, saying, "Ukraine has the right to demand weapons from the international community, including tanks, aircraft, and artillery systems, as the center of the global struggle for freedom," and "Freedom, like dictatorship, must be armed." This marks a return to a hardline stance just one day after both countries announced progress in the 5th round of peace negotiations.

The Russian side also threatened that airstrikes would stop only if the Ukrainian forces surrender. According to the British BBC, President Putin declared in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron the previous day, "To resolve the difficult situation in Mariupol, the Ukrainian nationalist armed forces must first stop resisting and lay down their arms," signaling that airstrikes would continue.

The Russian military is also reported to have failed to uphold the reduction of attacks on Kyiv and Chernihiv, which was promised during the 5th peace negotiations. On this day, Ukrainian authorities criticized the Russian military for shelling civilian residential areas and non-military infrastructure in Bucha, Brovary, and Vyshhorod, suburbs west and east of the capital Kyiv.

The Russian military shelled Kyiv city in the morning and conducted shelling in the suburbs of the capital at 1 p.m. that day. In Chernihiv, after 10 hours had passed since the promise to reduce military activities, Russian shelling continued overnight, injuring 25 people. Earlier, the Russian side had announced that it would reduce military activities near Kyiv and Chernihiv following progress in the 5th peace negotiations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.