Photo: Kordon.Media
The Russian airstrike on Sumy on Palm Sunday, which killed more than 34 people and wounded at least 115, came less than 48 hours after a representative of Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin, Sky News reports.
According to Russian state media, American Steve Witkoff held a four-hour conversation with Putin on Friday, as part of an unofficial dialogue between Moscow and Washington. Although Vitkoff expressed a “desire for peace,” experts believe that he has no experience in peace negotiations.
Elizabeth Breaux of the Atlantic Council think tank said that the strike on Sumy was a demonstration:
“If Russia wanted to show goodwill, it would have been easy enough not to strike. This is a hugely provocative move, with no military necessity. This is a signal to Ukraine, to the Americans and to the whole world,” she stressed.
The situation once again confirms that the Kremlin uses violence as a tool of pressure even at the time of potential dialogue.
