Zelensky calls out China, after Russia's brutal attack on Kyiv kills 15 including children, amidst global calls for peace [Image by The Hill]
(The Post News) –The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned a clear response from China following the latest massive Russian attack on the capital city of Kyiv, during which at least 15 people were killed, three of whom were children, and dozens were wounded. The evening shelling was one of the heaviest aerial bombardments of the capital since the commencement of the war, heightening international calls for accountability.
The air force of Ukraine reported Russia launched nearly 600 drones and more than 30 cruise and ballistic missiles in the overnight attack. Residential houses, kindergartens, and electricity infrastructure were destroyed, disconnecting electricity to more than 100,000 households.
The Kyiv military command confirmed three children died, aged two years, 14, and 17. Five other children were injured.
Municipal Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said rescue workers were still digging through the rubble in the Darnytskyi district, where a five-story residential building had collapsed. “This is terror against civilians,” he declared.
Zelensky: “Russia Chooses Ballistics Instead of Diplomacy
During his midnight speech, Zelensky blamed Moscow for deliberately rejecting peace overtures.
This attack is Russia’s clear response to everyone who’s been calling for a ceasefire and real diplomacy,” he said. “Russia chooses ballistics over the conference table. Russia chooses killing over ending the war.”.
He appealed to Beijing to stand stronger, stating: “We are expecting a reaction from China. It has repeatedly urged not to expand the war and not to have a ceasefire. But that is not happening because of Russia.”
The president also appealed to Hungary, which is part of the European Union and has close ties with Moscow, to condemn the strikes.
The European Union Kyiv delegation center was bombed, and Brussels recalled Russia’s ambassador in response.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack as “outrageous,” highlighting that “Russia will stop at nothing to terrorize Ukraine.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer verified the British Council office was bombed, labelling the attacks as “senseless” and warning that “Putin is killing children and civilians, sabotaging hopes of peace.”
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the attacks as “terror and barbarism,” and Germany said the strikes “cannot go by without consequences.”
China’s Cautious Response to Zelensky’s Appeal
Beijing has avoided a direct response to Zelensky’s appeals so far. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that “there should be no escalation of hostilities, and no fanning the flames” in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated China’s willingness to “play a constructive role” in seeking peace.
For all its bravado, China remains one of Moscow’s best economic friends. Western officials say Beijing is able to pressure Russia to end the war but instead continues to support Moscow with diplomatic support and oil sales.
The Kremlin justified its night-time raids as being aimed at just “military installations and infrastructure.” The spokesman, Dmitry Pesko, stated, “The special military action goes on. Russia will, however, maintain its interest in pursuing the negotiating process with the goal of accomplishing our goals by political and diplomatic means.”
Ukraine contradicts this claim, with repeated civilian deaths and widespread demolition of residential housing, schools, and power grids.
The escalation follows just weeks after US President Donald Trump had tried to restart peace negotiations. Trump had sat down Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 prior to receiving Zelensky at the White House on August 18. He suggested a trilateral summit but acknowledged that progress has ground to a halt.
Western leaders remain skeptical of Russia’s good intentions. “The Kremlin responds to calls for peace with missiles and drones,” Zelensky said. “The world cannot remain silent. It is time for tougher sanctions and a firm response.”
More than three years after Russia began its full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to suffer from devastating losses. Zelensky said the recent attacks prove Moscow is “not afraid of consequences” and called for new, tougher sanctions.
The deaths of children should elicit more emotions than anything else,” Zelensky said. “We count on a response from all those who were shouting about peace but now are quiet instead of taking positions of principle.”
As Kyiv buries its dead, the war rages on, with Russia escalating its air bombardments while defying international calls for a ceasefire.
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