Putin Shows 'Ostentatious Disrespect' To Trump Even As US Bends Over Backwards For Russia

Vladimir Putin has been accused of showing “ostentatious disrespect” to Donald Trump by continuing to attack Ukraine after the US president called an “energy ceasefire”.

Russian forces launched ballistic missiles and attack drones at Kyiv overnight, according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

It was a clear violation of Trump’s unilateral declaration on Sunday that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to a ceasefire on energy facilities.

Kyiv said it had no prior warning of his announcement while Russia did not respond at all.

The strikes also came after Trump ripped up years of western sanctions against Putin by reaching a deal to buy diesel from Russia, giving Moscow’s war machine a significant boost.

Ukraine has suggested that the US may have even stopped sharing its intelligence – information Kyiv needs to detect missile strikes early.

Tensions between Washington and Kyiv have been rising recently, as Trump has repeatedly – and falsely – blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure for a rise in US fuel prices this year.

However, Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Washington is still “sharing intel” and “helping” Ukraine.

Asked if Russia had violated the ceasefire, Trump said: “I’ll let you know about that later.”

Zelenskyy said that Russia used 39 ballistic missiles and more than 120 attack drones and loitering munitions against Ukraine’s energy and critical infrastructure.

He said: “A targeted Russian ballistic missile strike specifically against energy infrastructure – the very infrastructure covered by the ceasefire announced by the American President.

“The strike was entirely deliberate and demonstrative in its scale – Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States.”

He said: “Russia does not consider the American President’s statements strong. Unfortunately, at least 600,000 people are now without power. Outages could become even more widespread.”

Pointing to the 26 fatalities, Zelenskyy said: “We ask America and EVERYONE in the world who does not turn a blind eye to reality to respond – and to respond forcefully.

“Russia has squandered the opportunity for de-escalation and has clearly chosen to continue its insane war of annihilation.

“We ask President Trump to impose STRONG sanctions on Russia, especially since the Lindsey Graham bill, which was recently passed and signed into law, authorizes and regulates such measures.”

He said Trump has the tools to bring peace closer by putting pressure on Moscow, adding: “It is entirely fair for us to tell the United States, Europe, and all our partners that no country in the world should be left alone to face such a deranged and pro-war actor as Russia.”

Former British Army head Lord Dannatt also said if it was true that the US had suspended Starlink access to Ukraine, that is “outrageous”.

“Donald Trump has got this completely wrong. There is no point in trying to make deals with Vladimir Putin,” he told Times Radio. “If Donald Trump thinks that he can somehow appease or persuade Putin to back down or stop, he’s wrong.”

Zelenskyy will hold talks in Downing Street with prime minister Andy Burnham on Wednesday.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the PM said that the UK is ready to go “further and faster” in its backing for Ukraine.

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