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Zelensky: Moscow's Call for Truce Amid Deadly Attacks Shows 'Absolute Cynicism'
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Zelensky: Moscow's Call for Truce Amid Deadly Attacks Shows 'Absolute Cynicism'

From Ta Nea · (10m ago) Greek Critical tone

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of "absolute cynicism" after a deadly Russian attack on Poltava killed five people.
  • Russia had requested a ceasefire for a military parade while continuing attacks, which Zelensky called "propaganda events."
  • The attacks hit a natural gas facility, killing three energy workers and two rescuers, and injured 37 others; one person also died in the Kharkiv region from a separate missile strike.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has vehemently condemned Russia's actions, labeling them as "absolute cynicism" following a devastating Russian attack on the Poltava region that claimed five lives. This brutal assault occurred precisely when Moscow was ostensibly calling for a ceasefire to hold its Victory Day military parade. Zelensky highlighted the stark contradiction, stating, "It is absolute cynicism to ask for a ceasefire to hold propaganda events, while continuing daily attacks with missiles and drones. Russia could stop the war at any moment."

Είναι απόλυτος κυνισμός να ζητάς κατάπαυση του πυρός για να πραγματοποιήσεις προπαγανδιστικές εκδηλώσεις, ενώ συνεχίζεις καθημερινά τις επιθέσεις με πυραύλους και drones. Η Ρωσία θα μπορούσε να σταματήσει τον πόλεμο ανά πάσα στιγμή.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyUkrainian President's condemnation of Moscow's call for a ceasefire while continuing attacks, calling it 'absolute cynicism'.

The attack on Poltava was particularly heinous, striking a natural gas facility and killing three employees of the state energy company Naftogaz, along with two rescuers who responded to the initial strike. In total, 37 people were injured in the Poltava incident. Adding to the day's tragedy, another individual lost their life in the Kharkiv region due to a separate Russian missile strike. This relentless barrage underscores Ukraine's ongoing struggle against a determined aggressor.

From Ukraine's perspective, Russia's actions are a clear demonstration of its disregard for human life and international norms. The timing of the attacks, coinciding with Russia's own Victory Day celebrations, is seen as a deliberate provocation and a cynical manipulation of historical commemoration. While Russia parades its military might, Ukraine is forced to defend itself against unprovoked aggression, mourning its dead and tending to its wounded.

Ήρθε η ώρα οι ρώσοι ηγέτες να κάνουν πραγματικά βήματα για τον τερματισμό του πολέμου

— Volodymyr ZelenskyPresident Zelensky's call for Russian leaders to take genuine steps to end the war.

President Zelensky has consistently called for genuine steps towards peace, emphasizing that Ukraine would respond positively to a real cessation of hostilities. However, past temporary ceasefires have proven unreliable, and Russia's continued attacks demonstrate a lack of genuine intent to end the conflict. The international community is urged to recognize the "absolute cynicism" at play and to support Ukraine's fight for sovereignty and survival against an adversary that exploits any opportunity for further bloodshed.

δύο από τα θύματα ήταν διασώστες, σκοτωμένοι από διπλό χτύπημα που στόχευε όσους έσπευσαν να βοηθήσουν

— Andriy SibyhaUkraine's Foreign Minister describing the attack on rescuers as a deliberate act by a 'terrorist state'.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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