As the United States appears ready to resume a mediating role to end the conflict, a notable escalation is being recorded in the Russia-Ukraine war, with Moscow warning of “systematic” strikes on Kyiv, even targeting “decision-making centers.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated today that Washington remains willing to contribute to peace settlement efforts, following a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“Every time we see massive strikes from one side or the other, it reminds us how terrible this war is, which has now lasted longer than World War II and must end,” Rubio said during an official visit to India.
He emphasized that the US is ready to assist “in every possible way” to facilitate an end to the war, provided the right conditions are created. Meanwhile, Russia has launched a new wave of attacks against Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian authorities, a nighttime strike in Odesa claimed the life of a 45-year-old man, while the previous weekend dozens of missiles and drones hit areas of Kyiv causing deaths and extensive destruction. Among the weapons used by Moscow was the hypersonic Oreshnik missile, which according to Russia can develop speeds up to ten times the speed of sound and carry nuclear warheads.
Ukraine war: “Russian armed forces begin systematic attacks” Moscow’s message
The attacks followed Russia’s accusations that Ukrainian strikes on a vocational school in the occupied Luhansk region caused the death of 21 people, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering retaliation.
Sergey Lavrov advised the US to evacuate their embassy in Kyiv, pointing out to Marco Rubio the Russian Foreign Ministry’s warning to governments maintaining diplomatic missions in Kyiv “to ensure the removal of diplomatic personnel and their citizens from the Ukrainian capital,” the same statement emphasizes.
It is noted that in its announcement, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned that Russian armed forces are beginning “systematic attacks” on Ukrainian military and industrial facilities in Kyiv, while calling on foreign citizens, diplomatic personnel and international organizations to leave the Ukrainian capital.
However, Western diplomatic missions appeared unmoved by the Russian warnings. France rejected the possibility of removing its personnel, while the European Union ambassador to Kyiv clarified that European missions “are not going to leave.”
For its part, Ukraine characterized Moscow’s threats as “pressure rhetoric” and called on its international partners not to succumb to what it described as “Russian blackmail.”
