Russian airstrike shatters vague hopes of peace

"Russia is currently attacking everyone in the world who longs for peace. This is a blow to Ukraine. This is a blow to Europe," said the Ukrainian head of state. And it is "also a blow by Russia against President (Donald) Trump and other global players". With such attacks, Moscow is turning friendly countries such as China and India into accomplices.

Deaths suspected in the rubble of a Kiev apartment block

Following the airstrike on Thursday night, one of the heaviest in three and a half years of war, 22 people were counted dead in Kiev by the evening. According to the capital's military administration, even more people are trapped in the rubble of a residential building.

Russia had used around 600 combat drones and more than 30 rockets and cruise missiles in the attack. There was also an air alert in parts of eastern Ukraine on Friday night. The Ukrainian air force again detected Russian drones in the sky, albeit in smaller numbers.

UN Secretary-General condemns attacks on civilians

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attacks. "Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable and must stop immediately," Guterres wrote on Platform X. He called for a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire "leading to a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in Ukraine". Selensky expressed his gratitude for the UN Secretary-General's supportive words.

Trump spokesperson: Both sides must want an end to the conflict

US President Trump is saddened by the new escalation, but not surprised, said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Trump is committed to ending the war. But the parties to the conflict must also want this. Although Russia started the destructive war of aggression, Leavitt equated the Russian and Ukrainian actions: "Russia attacked Kiev, and Ukraine recently struck Russian refineries in the same way."

The US President first met with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska in the middle of the month and then consulted with Zelensky and the European allies in Washington. He reported Putin's alleged willingness to meet with Zelensky. However, Moscow subsequently only spoke of conducting the previous bilateral negotiations at a higher level. The Kremlin will only agree to a meeting between the presidents at the end of negotiations if an agreement is to be signed.

Merz does not expect Putin to meet with Zelensky

With no rapprochement between the warring parties in sight, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron about diplomatic efforts to end the war. "We have to deal with this issue again today, given the fact that there will obviously not be a meeting between President Zelensky and President Putin," said the Chancellor during a visit to Macron's summer residence on the Côte d'Azur.

US government approves arms sale to Ukraine

Meanwhile, the US State Department is creating facts and has approved the sale of weapons worth an estimated 825 million US dollars (around 710 million euros) to Ukraine. According to the responsible Defense Security Cooperation agency in Washington, the sale is for longer-range missiles and related equipment requested by Ukraine. Ukraine is reportedly receiving financial assistance from the USA, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway for the purchase of the weapons.

This will be important on Friday

Ukraine's Western allies are continuing to discuss how the country's security can be guaranteed after a possible end to the war. To this end, the foreign and defense ministers of the EU member states are meeting today in the Danish capital Copenhagen. Zelenskyi has also announced that his chief negotiators Andriy Yermak and Rustem Umyerov will discuss security guarantees with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in New York.