U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Tuesday that he engaged in a detailed discussion with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following disagreements over intelligence operations, dismissing any suggestion of a “deliberate political agenda to harm Ukraine.”
The remarks by Rubio coincided with a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks by Russia on civilian areas in Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals, as reported by officials on Tuesday.
In the recent assaults, casualties included three fatalities and six injuries in the Obukhiv district, with damage to warehouses reported by the police. Additionally, in the Bucha district, one woman lost her life, and 21 individuals were wounded, including eight children, with hundreds of structures sustaining damage, according to law enforcement sources.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that three people died and four were injured in a Russian assault on the Kyiv-Odesa highway, where two vehicles caught fire.
Amid doubts about continued U.S. support for Ukraine due to strained relations between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ukrainian leader confirmed having a substantive discussion with Rubio.
Expressing gratitude for Rubio’s willingness to assist, Zelenskyy shared his appreciation on social media. Zelenskyy also conveyed concerns to a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, stating his belief that there has been a deliberate decision to slow down support for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy emphasized the urgent need for American-made Patriot air defense interceptors to counter Russia’s ballistic missiles, urging Washington to expedite the delivery. However, delays in receiving missiles purchased by other countries for Ukraine from the Pentagon have exacerbated the situation.
Additionally, Zelenskyy highlighted the challenges posed by restrictions on Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s military-grade satellite internet service, hindering operational effectiveness on the battlefield.
During his visit to India, Rubio did not address the gaps highlighted by Ukraine in their fight against the Russian onslaught but reiterated the commitment to ending the conflict.
Rubio denounced allegations suggesting that the U.S. was withholding critical information, labeling them as scandalous and baseless. He underscored the unwavering support for ending the war despite the challenges faced by Ukraine.
Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, raised questions regarding the sincerity of U.S. negotiators in peace efforts, suggesting that the Trump administration has pressured Ukraine to make concessions to Russia for the sake of peace.
In a separate development, the Russian Defence Ministry disclosed conducting drone strikes on logistics facilities and ships in Ukraine, while Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Russian territories, escalating tensions further.
