The anticipated 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine has been officially dismissed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This announcement followed an extensive phone conversation with President Trump that lasted nearly two hours. Despite Trump proposing an immediate cessation of hostilities on land, air, and sea, Putin chose to ignore these suggestions.
Hours after Putin agreed to a limited ceasefire in a call with Trump, Russia and Ukraine accused each other of new attacks. Russian drones hit hospitals in Sumy and homes in Kyiv. Zelenskiy, who backed a full ceasefire, urged global action to stop Russia.https://t.co/e3cDzbXbHn
— BigBreakingWire (@BigBreakingWire) March 19, 2025
Shortly after the call, alarm sirens resonated across Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Residents took refuge underground as Russia launched a wave of attacks overnight, deploying an alarming total of 147 Iranian-made drones alongside six missiles. Disturbingly, the strikes targeted a hospital and critical energy facilities, demonstrating stark disregard for previous assurances made by Putin.
“I feel that Putin’s words have no credibility at all,” expressed Mariana, a Kyiv local. Her sentiments echo the frustrations of many who feel misled by Russia’s promises. “What he says could change in a week, just like that.”
During the phone call, Putin allegedly acknowledged the need to refrain from targeting Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure. However, he stopped well short of committing to a full ceasefire. Steve Witkoff, the President’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, was present for the discussion and later noted that while there had been progress in dialogue regarding energy and infrastructure, clear agreements were still lacking.
Tragically, within hours of their discussion, an Iranian drone struck a hospital in Sumy, requiring the evacuation of 147 patients. Further drone assaults on critical electricity systems disrupted railway operations, adding to the chaos of the night.
Residents of Kyiv are becoming increasingly skeptical of Putin’s intentions. Andrii Dubina, another local, stated, “The Russian imperialists do not want to let us live peacefully, because they do not recognize our right to exist, so we are forced to fight.”
Adding to the intrigue, following the call, the Kremlin has reportedly amplified its demands, pressing for Ukraine to cut down its troop levels and stop its mobilization efforts. Furthermore, Putin’s administration has called for the West to halt military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine. In response, Trump remarked that these stipulations were not part of their conversation.
As tensions simmer, it is claimed that Russian forces have nearly regained dominance over the Kursk region, an area Ukraine had recaptured last August. These operations include the involvement of North Korean soldiers, further complicating the military landscape.
As the situation unfolds, Trump is also expected to connect with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy later today. Meanwhile, ongoing negotiations are set to proceed this weekend in Saudi Arabia, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz for the United States.
Leave a Reply