Kyiv Tells NATO To Add Pressure As Moscow Vows Reprisal for Refinery Strike
Ukraine and Russia: Latest Developments in the Ongoing War
REPORTER:
Plumes of acrid smoke fill Moscow’s skies on Thursday following one of the biggest Ukrainian strikes on the capital in years.
REPORTER:
Life goes on in a city that’s grown somewhat accustomed to Ukrainian drone attacks. But, strikes on Russian refineries like this mean the leading oil producer will have to import fuel this month.
REPORTER:
The war, already longer than WWI, grinds on. Ukraine faces setbacks too. Russia is pounding the country with drones and ballistic missiles. Russia could be close to capturing Kostiantynivka—a key city on the so-called Ukrainian “fortress belt” in a region Russia demands be handed over to them.
REPORTER:
As all this unfolded, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to address a gathering of NATO defense ministers. He called the strike on Moscow revenge for a Russian strike that damaged one of Ukraine’s historic sites. But he said while Ukrainian strikes hurt, Russia’s President Putin may not back down without more help.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (UKRAINE PRESIDENT):
Putin is not stopping this war. He insists on continuing it, so the pressure must grow. Every project supporting Ukrainian drones and our weapons production in Ukraine and together of course with you, with partners and every sanctions measure against Russia for this war. All of it must grow.
REPORTER:
The meeting saw US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth voice irritation at European allies’ reluctance to help the US in its recent war with Iran. He says the US will review its forces in Europe—the results of which will depend on Europe stepping up responsibility for its own security.
REPORTER:
But it was a productive meeting for Ukraine. Kyiv and Berlin signed an agreement on anti-ballistic capabilities. And, Ukraine’s allies also promised around 1 billion US dollars in military assistance and more.
Mykhailo Fedorov (UKRAINE DEFENSE MINISTER):
Also today, an aid package for extended-range artillery was announced, meaning long-range artillery of 30 plus kilometers. We are still tallying up the totals, but we can already see that it will be approximately half a billion dollars.
REPORTER:
Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy also attended an EU summit, as it tries to move closer to eventual EU membership.
REPORTER:
While the war remains deadlocked, there could be some movements in diplomacy. Russian officials say US envoys could soon be in Russia, as President Donald Trump calls for a deal to end the war.
Yuri Ushakov (KREMLIN FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADVISER):
Both negotiators, Kushner and Witkoff, will visit Russia in the near future. Specific dates for the visit to Moscow have not yet been determined, but we assume it will be in the near future, and when it is convenient for both us and them, we will confirm the date of their arrival.
REPORTER:
But Russian officials say Thursday’s strike on the Moscow refinery means the chances of any personal contact with Kyiv are now further away. And Russia is promising to retaliate.
