Vladimir Putin’s recent actions prompted NATO to deploy warplanes urgently, despite his earlier acknowledgment that Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan could serve as a foundation for resolving the conflict in Ukraine. However, his commitment to peace was contradicted by a hardline loyalist lawmaker, Alexei Zhuravlev, who advocated for disregarding the US plan and pushing for Ukraine’s surrender.
The escalation in tensions was highlighted by an overnight attack in Orlovka, near the Romania border, where a tragic incident resulted in the death of a seven-year-old girl from Poland, among 32 casualties, including six children. The young victim, Amelia Gzhesko, perished in a missile strike that also claimed her mother’s life. The Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, condemned the attack and emphasized the need to end the brutal war, stating that Russia should not emerge victorious as it would jeopardize the future of all children.
Putin intensified military actions on Saturday night, targeting the Orlivka border crossing close to NATO territory, causing significant damage to border infrastructure. This led to the temporary closure of the border between Ukraine and Romania, impacting essential facilities like a compressor station crucial for gas transportation.
In earlier statements, Putin acknowledged receiving Trump’s 28-point plan for peace through established communication channels with the American administration, suggesting it could serve as a basis for a final settlement. However, he noted that discussions on the plan were lacking due to Ukraine’s reluctance to engage, influenced by hopes of defeating Russia on the battlefield.
Opposition to the peace plan was echoed by hardline politicians aligned with Putin, including Alexei Zhuruvlev, who dismissed proposed agreements from the US and EU, emphasizing that sustainable peace could only be achieved through Russia’s victory and Ukraine’s surrender. He also suggested that Trump’s intentions included using Ukraine as a strategic tool against Russia, aiming to maintain a military presence on Russia’s western borders to counter potential threats from China.
The ongoing conflict saw Ukraine retaliating with a drone strike on an oil refinery in Syzran, Samara region, as tensions between the involved parties continued to escalate.