The Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed regret over the "response" to the U.S. not "refusing" a comprehensive unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine after Putin launched a new deadly attack (especially in Kyiv).

Previously, without Ukraine's participation, U.S. President Trump proposed discussing the Black Sea shipping security initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Russian President Putin agreed. Russia and Ukraine vaguely agreed on the date for the implementation of the maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.

On April 6, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that "Ukraine accepted the U.S. proposal for a comprehensive unconditional ceasefire. But Putin refused." He criticized: "We are waiting for the U.S. response – so far there has been no response." He expressed his expectation for action from Europeans and "all those around the world who yearn for peace."

French President Macron condemned recent attacks and on the 6th called for France to take "strong action" if Moscow continues to "refuse peace." This week, the chiefs of staff of Paris and London visited Kyiv, urging the dispatch of military contingents to Ukraine after the ceasefire to prevent further Russian attacks.

In recent months, the relationship between Zelenskyy and Trump has been up and down, with him calling on Washington to pressure Russia. In particular, he repeatedly urged allies to strengthen economic sanctions against Moscow. Earlier on Sunday, Zelenskyy wrote on social media, "The pressure on Russia is still insufficient, as evidenced by Russia's daily attacks on Ukraine."

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's economic envoy, said in an interview with the Russian News Agency on Sunday that Russian and American officials may have new contacts "next week." Dmitriev did not specify the nature of this matter, but he is not formally involved in discussions related to the Ukraine issue.

According to local authorities on Sunday, the attacks caused at least two deaths, one in Kyiv, and eight others injured in various regions. In Kyiv, AFP journalists heard explosions at night. The Free Channel reported that the public television office building was partially damaged.

Other attacks in the southern Kherson region resulted in one death, and four people were injured in Kharkiv (northeast) and Khmelnytsky (west), according to local authorities.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its overnight attacks targeted military-related infrastructure, including a company producing drones. Zelenskyy said some missiles were launched from the Black Sea. He called for a maritime ceasefire to ensure Ukraine's security.

The current Black Sea agreement proposed by the White House in March aims to "ensure navigation safety, eliminate the use of force, and prevent commercial ships from being used for military purposes in the Black Sea." However, its conditions and effective dates are rather vague.

According to a new report released by local authorities on Sunday, before the strikes over the weekend, the attack on Kryvyi Rih (in the central region of the country) on Friday caused 20 deaths, including nine children. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called it the "deadliest attack on children" since the start of the invasion three years ago.

Ukraine is also struggling on the front lines. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for the offensive launched on Sunday in the Sumy region of Ukraine and occupied the village of Brazhka.

In early March, Moscow had already claimed occupation of the nearby village of Novinki, which was the first time Russia had occupied the area since withdrawing forces in the spring of 2022.

However, Ukraine denied this military achievement. Andrei Demchenko, spokesperson for the Russian National Border Guard Service, told AFP, "The enemy continues to spread false information, claiming to occupy towns in the Sumy region and cross the border." He said that only small-scale Russian "assault teams" occasionally infiltrate the area, but Ukrainian troops "eliminate them as much as possible."

Source: rfi

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