Zelenskyy accuses U.S. of inaction as Russian strikes kill over 70 in two days

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the United States for its apparent unwillingness to assist Ukraine amid ongoing Russian attacks. In just two days, Russian strikes have claimed over 70 lives across the country. The death toll began with a Russian bombing that killed at least 30 civilians on a bus in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, according to the State Emergency Service. This followed drone strikes in Kramatorsk and Ivano-Frankivsk, raising the two-day death toll to 35.

Zelensky expressed frustration during a press conference, accusing the US of pursuing economic ties with Russia while simultaneously attempting to mediate the war. He specifically called for the expansion of Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite service to help target Russian ballistic missile launchers. Ukraine has been intensifying its efforts to take the battlefield initiative from Russia, but the war is still ongoing, with Russia showing no signs of backing down.

Zelensky urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reconsider his statements that the war is at a stalemate, arguing that the US should not continue negotiating with Russia about future economic projects while simultaneously claiming to be in a diplomatic stalemate. He also urged the US to increase sanction pressure on Russia. Zelensky expects Ukrainian negotiators to travel to the US in the coming days to discuss these matters, including the issue of air defenses in light of Russia's near-constant drone and missile attacks.