Zelenskyy Vows Ongoing Drone Strikes Until Russia Ends Its Offensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the drone attacks on Russian military targets will continue unless Moscow halts its ongoing military campaign.

In a statement following a fresh bout of U.S.-facilitated peace negotiations in Istanbul, Zelenskyy called Ukraine's recent drone attack a "strategic operation" against Russia's long-range bomber capabilities.

This is occurring on a day-to-day basis," Zelenskyy said to reporters, regarding repeated Russian drone and missile attacks, including a recent overnight drone barrage of more than 480 drones. "Unless they calm down, we will keep going."

Pressed on whether Ukraine risked provoking an even more aggressive Russian response, Zelenskyy brushed aside the suggestion. "They are already furious. They continue to strike at us. Our actions are defensive and the goal to lower their ability to further harm.

Zelenskyy also pointed to the United States playing a part in bringing an end to the war, urging decisive action on the part of former President Donald Trump. "We need firm steps to keep the sanctions and pressure President Putin to stop the war — or at least start with a ceasefire," he stated.

Progress at Peace Talks — But No Breakthrough

The Istanbul meeting, which was held at the ancient Ciragan Palace, represented the first face-to-face contact between Ukrainian and Russian representatives since May 2022. The negotiations took slightly more than an hour, and though no significant breakthrough occurred, some humanitarian understandings were agreed upon.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that the two sides agreed to swap all seriously wounded and sick prisoners of war, and the bodies of thousands of dead soldiers. The discussions also made way for a possible direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, although no deadline was agreed upon.

Kyiv now suggests a 30-day ceasefire to provide a window for serious talks. But Moscow has spurned the offer, with President Putin adhering to the initial objectives of the invasion.

Nevertheless, the leader of Ukraine, Zelenskyy, maintained that Ukraine was still engaged in finding diplomatic ways to pursue talks while fighting back on the battlefield. "Our goal is that there shall be peace, but that peace cannot be achieved through the price of defeat," he said.