Russia rejects unconditional ceasefire because it wants to strike from Black Sea at Ukraine – Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the desire of the Russian Federation to retain the ability to strike at Ukraine from the Black Sea and expects the United States to react to the Russian side's refusal to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.
"Today's Russian strike involved missiles launched from the Black Sea. The partners know which ships they were and from which part of the sea this launch took place. This is one of the reasons why Russia distorts diplomacy, why Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire – they want to retain the ability to strike from the sea at our cities, our ports," Zelenskyy said during a video address on Sunday.
He noted that Vladimir Putin "does not want to end the war - he is looking for ways to leave himself the opportunity to start a war at any moment with even greater force."
"That is why all forms of pressure on Russia are still needed: strengthening our defense capabilities, maintaining sanctions, and such diplomacy, such a conversation with Moscow that will not leave them any opportunity to kill. If there is a ceasefire, then it is unconditional and such that prevents the destruction of life at all. Ukraine has agreed to America's proposal, to the proposal of a complete, unconditional ceasefire. Putin refuses. We are waiting for the reaction of the United States - there is none so far - we are waiting for the reaction of everyone in Europe, everyone in the world who wants peace," Zelenskyy said.
As reported, on the night of April 6, Ukrainian defenders shot down 13 missiles and 40 Shahed attack drones, as well as drones of other types launched by the Russian occupiers. In total, the occupiers launched 23 missiles (nine X-101/X-55SM cruise missiles, eight Kalibr cruise missiles, six Iskander-M ballistic missiles) and 109 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of imitator drones over Ukraine during the night.
Kyiv city, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Khmelnytsky, Cherkasy and Mykolaiv regions were affected by the enemy attack. In Kyiv city, one person was killed and three were injured.