Ukrainian and German Leaders Respond to Trump's Truce Assertion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have both responded to claims made by former US President Donald Trump regarding a potential temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Russia. According to statements from Berlin, the leaders have welcomed what they describe as "efforts in favour of a truce" following Trump's assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a week-long halt on attacks targeting Ukraine's power grid.
Details of the Claimed Agreement and Ongoing Hostilities
Trump stated that he personally appealed to Putin to suspend strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure for one week, a move reportedly discussed during a White House cabinet meeting. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for this initiative, noting that he is counting on the United States to help secure the proposed pause, particularly as Ukraine faces an extreme cold snap with temperatures forecast to plummet to as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius. However, Merz simultaneously condemned what he termed the "systematic and brutal destruction of Ukraine's civilian infrastructure by Russian attacks," emphasising that these assaults are "still ongoing" and warrant the strongest condemnation.
Casualties and Damage from Recent Russian Strikes
Despite the truce claims, Russian attacks continued to inflict casualties across Ukraine on Thursday. Regional authorities and emergency services reported that six people were killed in various incidents. In the Zaporizhzhia region, shelling resulted in the deaths of a 62-year-old man and two women aged 26 and 50, alongside causing a major fire in an apartment building. The Dnipropetrovsk region saw firefighters battling blazes that left two individuals injured. Meanwhile, in the Kherson region, a bombardment killed a 46-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, and an attack on the central city of Kryvyi Rig claimed the life of an elderly woman.
Firefighting Efforts in Odesa After Drone Strike
In Odesa, located in southern Ukraine, firefighters were actively working at an industrial facility that was hit in an overnight Russian drone strike. This incident underscores the persistent threat to civilian and industrial infrastructure, even as diplomatic efforts are discussed. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine documented the scene, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by emergency responders amid the conflict.
International Responses and Additional Developments
In related developments, Ukraine is collaborating with SpaceX to address concerns that Russia is using the firm's Starlink internet system to guide drones in attacks. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov expressed appreciation for the quick response from SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell and Elon Musk in working to resolve this issue. Additionally, the European Union has taken action by blacklisting Russia for money laundering risks, a move that EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas stated will slow down and increase the costs of transactions with Russian banks, further isolating the nation economically.
