Former U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pose for a picture in Washington on Monday. Their conversation largely focused on the current war between Ukraine and Russia. This meeting comes during an opportune moment. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its military campaign, including a massive drone and missile attack across Ukraine last week. President Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of determining whether Ukraine should serve as a “frontline for European security” or be relegated to a “buffer zone” in the geopolitical landscape.
The meeting began under a cloud of rising tension. Air raid sirens sounded in Ukraine’s Volyn and Lviv regions for more than an hour near 0900 GMT. Just hours before this meeting, Russia was conducting one of its most deadly drone attacks on the Okhtyrka region. This attack injured no less than 14 people, with one family being malignant enough to hit three young kids. Russia ended up launching a total of 93 drones and two missiles overnight. This attack was only one piece of a larger offensive. Overall, the Ukrainian air force managed to continue to intercept all but 62 of these drones and one missile at 20 different targets throughout the country.
In his remarks, President Zelenskyy condemned the violence, stating, “Last night, a drone strike on Okhtyrka in the Sumy region injured 14 people. A family with wounded children – 5 months, 4 years, and 6 years old – sought assistance after the attack.” He described the recent attacks that caused devastation from Moscow to Mariupol and the entire country in between. These strikes included a gas distribution station in Odesa and multiple residential buildings in Kostiantynivka.
“There was also a treacherous strike on a gas distribution station in the Odesa region. Shelling also targeted the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Poltava regions. In total, more than 60 drones and a ballistic missile were used.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Trump went on to say that he wouldn’t send U.S. troops to Ukraine either. He could support air operations in negotiations to conclude the war. He described his style of diplomacy as one that relied more on instinct than bureaucracy. On (Europeans’) security, they’re willing to deploy people on the ground. We are not going to forget, Trump said, to assist them with whatever they need—particularly, I think, maybe … by air.”
Even though Trump’s promised air support would make a potentially big difference, experts say they still worry about what Trump is suggesting. Jim Townsend cautioned that Trump might end up leaving Ukraine in a dangerous position and alluded to the similar situation faced by post-World War One Germany. “He’s not going to allow Ukraine to have much of a military. It’s almost like Germany after World War One,” Townsend noted.
Zelenskyy’s administration has not slackened in its appeal for international solidarity and pressure against Russia’s invasion. He reiterated the necessity for new sanctions against Moscow: “All of these are demonstrative strikes that only confirm the need to put pressure on Moscow, the need to impose new sanctions and tariffs until diplomacy is fully effective.”
On the ground in Ukraine, the effects of the renewed Russian offensive are devastating. Civilians have borne the brunt, with reports that civilians are being killed due to indiscriminate attacks against civilian dwellings. Yulia Svyrydenko, a Ukrainian official, highlighted the tragic toll on families: “Russia continues to manifest its fears through acts of pure terrorism across Ukraine, once again targeting the homes of families and their sleeping children.”
This new round of escalating hostilities has garnered international attention. Pope Leo XIV called for prayers and fasting for peace in conflict zones, stating: “As our Earth continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in many other regions … I invite all the faithful to live the day of August 22 in fasting and prayer.”
“Grant us peace and justice and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of the ongoing armed conflicts.” – Pope Leo XIV
The Ukrainian air force continues to defend against Russia’s relentless assaults, which have recently included the largest air offensive in over a month. According to military reports, up to 270 drones and ten missiles were shot down in all across Ukraine during this newest wave of attacks.