The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andriy Sybiga, criticized Vladimir Putin after the Russian president insisted that peace discussions with Volodymyr Zelenskyy should occur in Moscow. Sybiga stated that at least seven nations had offered to host the talks, including Austria, the Vatican, Switzerland, Turkey, and three Gulf states. "These are genuine proposals, and President Zelenskyy is prepared to attend such a meeting at any moment," Sybiga said. "Putin continues to play games by deliberately making unreasonable demands."
Following a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday, Putin reiterated his condition that any direct negotiations with Zelenskyy must happen in Moscow. Traveling to Moscow would not only carry symbolic surrender but also pose a significant threat to Ukraine’s leader, who has faced assassination attempts by Russia since the war began.
Putin had been in China meeting with its leader, Xi Jinping, alongside North Korea's Kim Jong-un and India's Narendra Modi. North Korea has supplied troops and arms to Russia, while China and India have purchased Russian oil, sustaining its wartime economy. Evidence has shown China supplying materials to Russia for military use.
"Russia is not operating in isolation. China provides up to 80% of its dual-use imports," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Dual-use items are civilian products repurposed for weapons, often with the supplier's awareness. "This prolongs the violence in Ukraine," Kallas stated during an address in Brussels.
Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched over 500 drones and numerous missiles on Wednesday, targeting civilian infrastructure, particularly energy sites, across western and central regions. At least five people were injured in the strikes.
In Kostyantynivka, Russian artillery and drone attacks killed nine civilians and wounded seven others, according to Donetsk regional military chief Vadym Filashkin. "Early in the morning, shelling killed eight people aged 44 to 74. Later, drone strikes hit civilian vehicles, killing a 36-year-old woman."
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Zelenskyy in Paris on Wednesday before a meeting of European leaders to discuss possible postwar security assurances, possibly alongside U.S. involvement. Macron noted that defense ministers had confirmed commitments from 35 coalition nations. According to an undisclosed White House official, Zelenskyy is also expected to speak with Donald Trump on Thursday.
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