After US President Donald Trump's phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of "dragging out the war."
During the phone call on Tuesday, Trump and Putin spoke about the need for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The Russian leader agreed to temporarily stop attack Ukrainian energy facilities but rejected the full 30-day ceasefire proposal.
Before the Trump and Putin call, the US held ceasefire talks with Ukraine, in which Kyiv accepted the 30-day proposal.
However, as per a Reuters report, Zelenskyy stated that he would support the limited ceasefire proposal put forward by Putin.
"Our side support this," the Ukrainian leader told reporters. Shortly after the phone call with Trump, fresh Russian drone strikes were reported on a Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
"Today, Putin de facto rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire. It would be right for the world to reject in response any attempts by Putin to drag out the war," said Zelenskyy in a post on the Telegram.
As per Ukrainian officials, Russia's drone attack hit a hospital in Sumy and several other regions such as Kyiv.
"Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war. Sanctions against Russia. Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer," said Zelesenkyy in a similar statement on X.
Trump-Putin Discuss Ceasefire
As per the official statement issued by the White House, the phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine.
"They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people," stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
"This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace," the statement added further.
