Is Russia's Vladimir Putin serious about ending the Russo-Ukrainian War? On the one hand, he flew to Alaska, to meet American President Trump at a United States strategic military installation, which was a big ask for the Russian leader. On the other hand, Russia seems to be ramping up attacks on Ukraine. Granted, there's no cease-fire in place, and reportedly only the bones of a peace deal, but you would think that, as an act of good faith, Putin would back off the attacks a little.
If there's one thing we can glean from all this, it is that "good faith" and "Vladimir Putin" probably don't belong in the same sentence. The latest attack hit several targets, including an American-owned consumer electronics factory.
In one of the largest overnight strikes since the war began, Russia unleashed some 614 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles across Ukraine, killing one, injuring dozens and destroying an American-owned electronics company less than an hour from two NATO borders, officials confirmed Thursday morning.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy said the strike on the private U.S. company, which involved "several" cruise missiles, was "very telling" following President Donald Trump’s attempts to force Moscow to end its invasion.
This is the second such mass attack in as many days, both of which hit targets close to the territory of NATO member nations.
Read More: On The Brink of Peace, Russia Launches Attack Perilously Close to NATO Border
As for that American-owned company, Ukraine's president brought up an interesting possibility.
"Last night, the Russian army set one of its insane anti-records," Zelenskyy said. "They targeted civilian infrastructure facilities, residential buildings, and our people.
"Several cruise missiles were lobbed against an American-owned enterprise in Zakarpattia," he continued, describing the company as "a regular civilian business, supported by American investment, producing everyday items like coffee machines."
"And yet, it was also a target for the Russians. This is very telling," Zelenskyy added.
It may be telling, assuming it was deliberate. And, given Russia's conduct to date in their conduct of the war, it may very well have been. There are other issues as well. As my friend and colleague streiff pointed out on Thursday, these attacks, as well as statements made by Soviet - excuse me, Russian government officials, are leading to the conclusion that Tsar Vladimir I wasn't at all serious about ending the war.
Back to Square One. Russia Disavows Every Advance Anyone Thought Was Made in Alaska and DC Meetings
One short week ago, we had cause for optimism. President Vladimir Putin, a child of the Soviet Union, a former Colonel of the KGB, flew to Alaska, landed at an American military base, and talked with President Trump for over two hours. Both sides sounded cautiously optimistic. Then, on Monday, on perhaps 36 hours' notice, Ukraine's President Zelensky, the leaders of all the major nations of Europe, and the Secretary-General of NATO and the President of the European Commission, flew to Washington to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine - guarantees that they hoped Russia would accept, guarantees that we all hoped would lead to an end to this war.
It won't be ending any time soon.
So far, President Trump has not offered any comments on this latest Russian attack. We can presume that he and the European community will try to keep talks going, will continue efforts to end this war. But it's beginning to look like Vladimir Putin may have other ideas; he certainly knows that Ukraine can't defeat Russia on its own, no matter how many weapons or how much ammo that the United States or Europe send their way.
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