Russia launches attacks on Ukraine energy infrastructure amid truce talks – Europe live

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Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised Russia’s “utter cynicism” of launching more attacks on Ukraine while also calling for a short ceasefire enabling it to stage its 9 May Victory Parade in Moscow.

In a post on X condemning the latest series of attacks, he said:

“It is utter cynicism to ask for a ceasefire in order to hold propaganda celebrations while carrying out such missile and drone strikes every single day leading up to it. Russia could cease fire at any moment, and this would stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are needed to achieve it. Ukraine will act in kind.”

Rescuers extinguishing a fire at the site following an air attack in Poltava region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photograph: STATE EMERGENSY SERVICE OF UKRAINE/AFP/Getty Images

The overnight attacks were primarily aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, but killed four people and injured more, Zelenskyy said.

Earlier, Zelensky said that holding a ceasefire between 8 and 9 May so Moscow could hold the Victory Parade despite fears of a Ukrainian attack was “not serious”, and suggested an earlier truce starting already midnight (9pm GMT) on Tuesday.

“It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s defence ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill.”

There is nothing to suggest that Russia will abide by the proposed ceasefire.

Elsewhere, I will keep an eye on the EU leaders’ meeting in Yerevan, Armenia after the latest round of threats against European partners, and on which could see his government collapse this afternoon.