Intense Russian bombardments on Ukraine; Zelenskyy alleges Putin is deliberately hindering peace negotiations

Ukraine is bracing for more violence after a series of intense bombardments, with at least 25 people, including four children, killed and dozens more injured in Thursday's massive attack on the capital Kyiv. The latest strikes come amid a stalemate in peace talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Trump administration has taken action to bolster Ukraine's defenses, approving an $825 million arms package to help Ukraine fortify its military. The U.S. will use funding from NATO allies in addition to U.S. foreign military financing to pay for the equipment. However, the Kremlin has cast doubt on Trump's push for peace in Ukraine.

In an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. warned Russia to move toward peace and meet with Ukraine or face possible sanctions. The call for action followed a major Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv. Despite the escalating violence, eight people, including two children, were hospitalized in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have been ongoing, with U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg representing the U.S. government in talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, mediated by Turkey. However, there is no clear indication of new direct diplomatic talks led specifically by U.S. or Russian chief negotiators in the past weeks beyond these earlier engagements.

Ukraine has accepted a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and a summit between Zelenskyy and Putin, but Moscow has raised objections. President Trump, frustrated by Putin's delays on direct talks with Zelenskyy, said he expected to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks aren't scheduled.

Meanwhile, peace talks have stalled, and Zelenskyy hopes to meet next week with Trump and European leaders to revive stalled peace efforts. Authorities in the capital declared Friday an official day of mourning.

Elsewhere, deadly Israeli strikes are ongoing in Gaza City, with the IDF advancing. Pope Leo XIV denounced a "pandemic of arms" in a prayer for victims of a Minnesota school shooting, expressing concern over the continued violence around the world.

It is crucial for all parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution to end the suffering of innocent civilians and bring stability to the region. The international community must continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself and pursue diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.

Intense Russian bombardments on Ukraine; Zelenskyy alleges Putin is deliberately hindering peace negotiations