Russia has faced strong criticism after a missile strike in Ukraine wounded dozens, including children, while it was engaged in peace talks with the United States. This attack occurred as Russian and American officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
The discussions took place on a Monday, with Ukrainian and American delegations expected to join the talks the following day. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of sabotaging efforts to halt the nearly three-year war.
During the missile strike, a school and a hospital in the northeastern city of Sumy were damaged, leaving at least 88 people injured, among them 17 children. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack, stating that Russia’s claims of seeking peace are hollow when it continues to strike populated areas.
As the talks unfolded, there was no immediate indication of any agreements or progress. A source from Russia reported that a draft statement regarding the talks had been sent to both Moscow and Washington for approval, with hopes of releasing it on Tuesday. A White House source described the discussions as going "extremely well," suggesting that a positive announcement could be forthcoming.
The meetings aimed to address various issues, including energy infrastructure and a potential pause in attacks in the Black Sea to protect commercial shipping routes. Former President Donald Trump mentioned that discussions had also included territorial lines and the possibility of U.S. ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
While the diplomatic talks were ongoing, Ukraine’s intelligence agency reported that Russia is allegedly recruiting Ukrainian teenagers for terrorist activities. They claimed that Russian intelligence is luring children with promises of easy money for delivering remotely detonated packages.
The situation remains tense, with the conflict showing no signs of abating as both sides continue to navigate the complexities of war and peace negotiations.