Vladimir Putin accused of 'mocking' Donald Trump following missile attack on Ukraine that killed 34 people
Vladimir Putin has been accused of 'mocking' Donald Trump in the wake of the devastating Russian missile attack on Ukraine that killed at least 34 people last weekend.
Two ballistic missiles hit the city of Sumy on Sunday morning, wounding a further 84 people and killing at least two children, many of whom were reportedly on their way to a church service.
President Zelenskyy has already requested that Trump comes and sees the damage that the ongoing war is continuing to do in Ukraine, in the wake of their explosive White House chat earlier this year.
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While the US president claims that he was 'very angry' with his Russian counterpart as he dragged his feet over a potential ceasefire, his phone call with the 72-year-old seems to have done nothing to quell Putin's thirst for war.
Trump gave a very ambiguous answer when questioned about the missile strikes, suggesting that they were a 'horrible thing' but now Poland's Radosław Sikorski has suggested that it is the US president who is being 'mocked' by this latest tragedy, interestingly rather than Zelenskyy who has seen thousands of his own citizens in this dreadful war.
"Ukraine unconditionally agreed to a ceasefire over a month ago," Radoslaw Sikorsk said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. "The heinous attacks on Kryvyi Rih and on Sumy is Russia’s mocking answer.
"I hope that President Trump and the US administration see that the leader of Russia is mocking their goodwill and I hope the right decisions are taken."
Following the missile strikes, Zelenskyy invited Trump to see the damage that was done, in an interview with CBS, saying: "Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead.
"Come, look, and then let's move with a plan how to finish the war. You will understand with whom you have a deal. You will understand what Putin did."
Other foreign leaders from across the world also didn't mince their words when describing Russia's latest actions in this war.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added (via BBC): "Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law.
"Strong measures are urgently needed to enforce a ceasefire. Europe will continue to reach out to partners and maintain strong pressure on Russia until the bloodshed ends and a just and lasting peace is achieved, on Ukraine's terms and conditions."
In a statement on social media, Zelenskyy went on to say that 'tough reaction from the world is needed' as he says Russia is continuing to 'drag out this war', and without 'pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible'.
Topics: Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, World News
James Moorhouse