Putin's calculated brutality aims to sabotage diplomatic progress – Zelenskyy

The Russians carried out a showy and cynical strike overnight, Putin will continue the killings to continue putting pressure on Ukraine, Europe and to humiliate diplomatic efforts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"This was an absolutely showy and cynical Russian strike. They know that today in Washington there is a meeting to end the war. We will talk about key things with President Trump. Together with Ukraine, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, the EU, NATO will participate in the conversation," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday.

He stressed that everyone wants a decent peace and real security, but at this moment the Russians are striking at Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Sumy regions, Odesa, residential buildings, civilian infrastructure.

"This is a deliberate killing of people by the Russians, the killing of children. As of now, seven people are known to have died as a result of the drone strike on Kharkiv, the youngest being a one and a half year old girl, and dozens of people are injured, including children," the president said.

Some 20 people are known to have been injured and three people killed as a result of missile strikes on Zaporizhia.

"There was also a deliberate Russian strike on an energy facility in Odesa, which belongs to an Azerbaijani company. That is, this is a blow to our relations and energy independence," Zelenskyy added.

"The Russian military machine continues to destroy lives despite everything. Putin will kill in a showy manner to continue to put pressure on Ukraine, on Europe, and to humiliate diplomatic efforts. That is why we are so waiting for help to stop the killings. That is why reliable security guarantees are needed. That is why Russia should not receive any reward for this war. The war must be ended. And it is Moscow that should be told to stop," Zelenskyy said.