A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv killed civilians—including children—just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Trump and European leaders at the White House. Ukraine’s president condemned the attack as cynical, signaling the urgent need for real security guarantees.
Ukrainian officials condemned the attack in a Telegram, calling it a deliberate intimidation meant to derail diplomacy.
“That’s why Putin doesn’t want to cease fire… He enjoys shelling peaceful cities while talking about his desire to end the war,” wrote Zelenskyy’s chief of staff.
Zelenskyy spoke out against the attack on X, saying, “This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike. They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington that will address the end of the war.”
“Everyone seeks dignified peace and true security. And at this very moment, the Russians are attacking Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, the Sumy region, and Odesa, destroying residential buildings and our civilian infrastructure. Russians are deliberately killing people, particularly children. As of now, seven people have been killed as a result of the drone strike in Kharkiv, the youngest being a girl who is only a year and a half old, and dozens have been injured, including children,” he went on to add.
The drone strike left a chilling toll: at least seven civilians were killed—including a toddler and a 16‑year‑old—while others were injured, including children.
President Trump met Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, later joined by European allies. Ukraine and its Western supporters pressed for strong, NATO‑style security guarantees.
“We need to stop this war, to stop Russia. And we need support, American and European partners. We will do our best for this,” Zelenskyy commented.
Discussions included proposals for territorial concessions, such as accepting the loss of Crimea and Donbas, but Zelenskyy rejected these firmly, deeming them a reward for aggression.
