White House reports Trump unsurprised as Russia breaches energy infrastructure truce amid Zelensky criticism of US peace efforts.
Trump’s Reaction
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Tuesday that President Trump was not surprised by renewed Russian bombings of Ukraine. She characterized the conflict as a brutal war between two countries ongoing for years.
Leavitt attributed the war’s start to the “incompetence and weakness of former President Joe Biden.” She emphasized Trump’s aggressive pursuit of ending the war through diplomacy.
The White House representative did not condemn Russian Federation actions on behalf of Trump.
Zelensky on Russian Actions
President Zelensky stated that Russia disregarded US efforts for peace, ending a short-lived energy ceasefire. Overnight strikes using a record number of missiles left hundreds of thousands in Kyiv and Kharkiv without heating.
Zelensky, meeting NATO’s Secretary General in Kyiv, noted Russia’s actions clearly demonstrate its intentions and violate agreements with the US. He stressed consequences must follow.
NATO Support
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the alliance currently supplies Ukraine with missiles to defend against Russian air attacks. He assured NATO is working to deliver anti-ballistic missiles to the Dnipro region as quickly as possible.
Strategic Russian Attack
In a social media post, Zelensky described the attack as a deliberate strike on energy infrastructure using a record number of ballistic missiles. He alleged Russia exploited the US-proposed temporary ceasefire not to support diplomacy, but to stockpile missiles and wait for the coldest days when temperatures drop below -20°C across most of Ukraine.