Air strikes in Ukraine ‘not encouraging’ sign of progress to peace – Timms

Russian drones hit Ukrainian cities overnight as Volodymyr Zelensky said Vladimir Putin’s words ‘are very different from reality’.

By contributor David Hughes, Helen Corbett and David Lynch, PA

Published Mar 19

Last updated Mar 19

Flames and smoke engulf a building after a Russian attack in Krasnopillia, Sumy region, Ukraine, overnight (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure continued as a UK Government minister said the signs were “not encouraging” for a peace deal.

In a call on Tuesday Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trump agreed to a limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets, the White House said.

But Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky said drone strikes had continued, including a direct hit on a hospital in Sumy.

At a press conference in Helsinki on Wednesday, Mr Zelensky said: “Putin’s words are very different from reality.”

Mr Zelensky said he would speak to Mr Trump later on Wednesday to “discuss the details of the next steps with him”.

The White House account of the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin said “the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire”.

But the Kremlin’s statement following the talks said the proposal covered only the more limited category of “energy infrastructure” – meaning other civilian targets were still at risk.