Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko warns of Putin’s expansionist ambitions amid ongoing infrastructure struggles and peace talks in Geneva.
Kyiv Heating Struggles Continue
On Tuesday, heating was restored to 2,600 buildings in Kyiv that had lost it due to last week’s Russian attacks on the capital’s infrastructure. However, over 1,100 buildings in the Dniprosky and Darnytsky districts remain without heat due to severe damage to the Darnytsky thermal power plant, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko stated on social media.
Efforts are underway to set up tents, heating points, and restore electricity, Klitschko explained in a Radio ZET interview. However, he noted the scale of problems nationwide is significant, prompting the creation of zones where residents can warm up comfortably.
Putin’s Imperial Ambitions
Expressing gratitude for Polish aid, Klitschko called it “very necessary and very fast,” highlighting the critical need for generators to maintain essential infrastructure. He emphasized that Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk to all of Ukraine.
“If, God forbid, he succeeds, he will want to move on,” Klitschko warned. He stressed Putin has long viewed Poland and Baltic nations as part of a Russian empire, underscoring the importance of unity in the face of this threat.
Geneva Peace Talks
Two-day peace negotiations in Geneva concluded Wednesday with a separate meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegation chiefs, Ukrainian media report. Both Kyiv and Moscow acknowledged the “political block” issues as the most difficult to resolve, while military talks were deemed “serious and significant.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that military discussions were substantive, but political compromises and potential leader-level talks remain insufficiently addressed. He expressed hope for further negotiations, ideally in February.
