Zelensky condemns Western silence following Russia’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine

05/28/2025 / By Ramon Tomey

Russia launched over 300 missiles and drones in its largest single-night assault since the invasion began, striking 30+ Ukrainian cities, killing 12 (including 3 children) and injuring dozens. The attack coincided with fading ceasefire hopes.
Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the muted global response, warning that silence emboldens Putin. He demanded immediate sanctions and stronger international pressure to halt further escalation.
The strikes hit military and civilian targets, including Kyiv during a city holiday, violating Geneva Protocols. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted many projectiles, but damage was widespread.
Despite the largest prisoner exchange of the war (1,000 captives each), diplomacy offered little relief. Trump broke Western silence, calling Putin “crazy” but also criticizing Zelensky, while Europe imposed new sanctions.
With Russia continuing attacks and the U.S. prioritizing talks over deterrence, Zelensky’s calls for decisive action faced a divided West, leaving prospects for peace uncertain.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused the U.S. and its allies of emboldening Russia through their muted response to Moscow’s most devastating aerial assault since the invasion began.

Russian forces launched more than 300 missiles and drones on Saturday, May 24. They struck more than 30 Ukrainian cities and villages, killing at least 12 people – including three children in the Zhytomyr region – and injuring dozens. The attack, the largest single-night barrage in over two years of war, came as hopes for a ceasefire dimmed despite a historic prisoner exchange and behind-the-scenes diplomacy.

“Silence from others in the world only encourages [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, demanding immediate new sanctions. He warned that without stronger international pressure, Russia would only grow bolder.

“The world may go on vacation, but the war continues. Only through strength – the strength of the United States, of Europe, of all nations that value life – can these attacks be stopped.”

While Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 45 cruise missiles and 266 drones, the strikes still inflicted widespread damage, hitting military and civilian targets alike. The assault marked a grim escalation in a war that has already claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Explosions rocked the capital Kyiv as residents were celebrating the city’s annual holiday, leaving smoldering ruins in their wake. Officials condemned the strikes as deliberate attacks on civilians, a violation of the 1977 Geneva Protocols, which prohibit targeting non-combatants in war.

The attacks coincided with the conclusion of a three-day prisoner exchange, the largest since the war began, with 1,000 captives returned on each side. Yet the diplomatic milestone offered little solace amid the relentless bombardment.

Trump breaks Western “silence,” blasts both warring leaders

The Western silence Zelensky referenced was briefly broken Sunday, May 25. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a rare public rebuke of Putin, declared on Truth Social that the Russian leader had “gone absolutely crazy.” The real estate mogul denounced Putin for “needlessly killing a lot of people,” warning that Moscow’s aggression could lead to its “downfall.”

Zelensky wasn’t off the hook, however, as Trump also zeroed in on the comedian-turned-chief executive. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems,” the real estate mogul wrote in his post. “It better stop.”

Meanwhile, European leaders announced a 17th round of sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow oil fleet. Washington has hesitated to follow suit, however, with Trump instead pushing for direct talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised Trump’s efforts, calling negotiations “a very crucial moment” even as Russian missiles continued to rain down on Ukrainian cities. (Related: U.S. imposes additional sanctions on Russian oil giants to curb revenue from energy exports.)

As rescue crews sifted through rubble and families mourned their dead, Zelensky’s plea for decisive action echoed across a divided West.

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Watch U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg telling Newsmax‘s Greta Van Susteren that both Russia and Ukraine won’t get everything they want as negotiations proceed.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.