Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his call for intensified sanctions against Russia and increased military aid for Ukraine, stating that russia’s ongoing attacks demonstrate a singular focus on destruction rather than genuine negotiation. The remarks came as Russian forces continued offensive operations along the eastern front and targeted civilian areas with aerial bombardments.
On Saturday, a Russian airstrike utilizing glide bombs struck a bus station in Zaporizhzhia, injuring over 20 civilians. This incident adds to a growing list of attacks on non-military infrastructure, including energy facilities, residential buildings, and transportation hubs, throughout Ukraine as the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
“No deadlines, no expectations from them, work – they do not want to stop the killings. The only thing they are looking for is a way to kill Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated in a Sunday address. He emphasized that Russia is not pursuing meaningful dialogue and that the only path to de-escalation lies in crippling Russia’s economic capacity to wage war.
Zelenskyy specifically appealed for greater support from the United States and European nations, urging them to leverage their collective “power” to compel Russia to cease hostilities. He argued that economic sanctions are the primary tool for halting the conflict, stating, “If Russia does not want to stop the war, then its economy must be stopped.”
Background: The Alaska Process and Potential Negotiations
While direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are currently stalled, previous discussions have taken place, notably in the early stages of the conflict. In March 2022, initial talks where held in Belarus, followed by a series of meetings in Turkey. A potential framework for negotiations, often referred to as the “Alaska Process,” emerged from indirect interaction facilitated by the United States. This process involved discussions between U.S. officials and their Russian counterparts in Anchorage, Alaska, in January 2022, prior to the full-scale invasion.The focus of those talks,according to U.S. officials, was on strategic stability and risk reduction, but also touched upon concerns regarding Russian military buildup near Ukraine’s borders.
The key sticking points in any potential negotiations remain significant. Ukraine insists on the full restoration of its territorial integrity, including the return of Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, and all territories currently occupied in the Donbas region and southern Ukraine. Russia, however, demands guarantees of Ukraine’s neutrality, the recognition of crimea as Russian territory, and the demilitarization of Ukraine. These essential disagreements, coupled with Russia’s continued aggression, make a near-term resolution unlikely.
Glide Bombs and Their Impact
The glide bombs used in the Zaporizhzhia attack are typically Soviet-era FAB-500 aerial bombs fitted with guidance kits, significantly increasing their accuracy and range. These weapons allow Russian aircraft to strike targets from a safer distance, reducing their vulnerability to Ukrainian air defenses. The use of glide bombs has become increasingly prevalent in recent months, contributing to a rise in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly requested increased supplies of advanced air defense systems, such as the U.S.-made Patriot missile system, to counter this threat.
