Military presence in Ukraine by foreign forces can be considered valid targets, according to Putin.
Overnight, Russian troops launched a coordinated assault on Ukraine, using 157 strike and decoy drones, as well as seven missiles of various types. This aggressive move was met with a robust response from Ukrainian air defenses, which managed to shoot down or jam 121 of the drones.
The drone strikes were a key topic of discussion during the rare high-level talks that took place in Uzhhorod, a Ukrainian city near the border with Slovakia. The meeting was between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, European leaders have pledged to deploy a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine once fighting ends. According to French President Emmanuel Macron, 26 of Ukraine's allies have pledged to deploy troops as a "reassurance force" for Ukraine. However, this prospect has been deemed "unacceptable" by Moscow.
Among the affected areas was Dnipro, central Ukraine, where one attack damaged multiple residential buildings. Furthermore, in Ukraine's Chernihiv region, Russian drones attacked infrastructure, leaving at least 15 settlements without electricity.
In response to these attacks, Zelensky emphasized the need for security guarantees to start working during the war, not just after it ends. He also made a statement that seems to be a reference to comments made by US President Donald Trump the day before, saying, "Russian oil, like Russian gas, has no future in Europe."
Meanwhile, Slovakia, despite criticisms from Ukraine and neighbouring Hungary, has continued to import Russian oil and gas, despite most EU countries cutting ties following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Recent Ukrainian strikes have disrupted shipments from Russia to Slovakia along the Druzhba pipeline, prompting protests from Bratislava.
Trump had urged European leaders to stop buying Russian oil, stating that these purchases help Moscow fund its war against Ukraine. Despite Slovakia's continued reliance on Russian energy, Zelenskyy has offered to supply his neighbour with oil and gas that doesn't come from Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin considers any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine during the ongoing invasion as legitimate targets for Moscow's forces. There have been reports of a fire at the Ryazan oil refinery in Russia, allegedly due to drone attacks.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has repeatedly called for "normalising" relations with Russia. It remains to be seen how these complex geopolitical dynamics will unfold in the days and weeks to come.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Who is Palestine Action, the organization tied to numerous arrests within the UK?
- "Trump Criticizes EU's $3.5 billion fine on Google as Unjust, Threatens Additional Tariffs"
- Restructuring community adaptability amidst multiple concurrent crises
