Ukraine may be faced with the difficult decision of ceding some of its territory in pursuit of a “temporary” peace with Russia, according to Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko. “One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It’s not fair,” he shared in an interview with the BBC, emphasizing that, “for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution.” His comments follow a devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv that resulted in the loss of at least 12 lives and left more than 80 injured.
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As the person responsible for the capital, Klitschko highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that President Volodymyr Zelensky may ultimately have to accept a “painful solution” to foster peace.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has been actively encouraging both Ukraine and Russia to reach an agreement. Reports suggest that potential concessions could include U.S. recognition of Russia’s control over Crimea, which was unlawfully annexed in 2014. As Trump emphasized, “Let’s get a deal done,” the stakes have never been higher.
Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia now controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. In a recent interview with CBS News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow is “ready” to negotiate with Ukraine. “Mr. Trump mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific elements of this deal that need to be fine-tuned,” Lavrov clarified, noting, “There are several signs that we are moving in the right direction.”
On the topic of recent strikes in Kyiv, Lavrov maintained, “We only target military goals or civilian sites used by the military.” However, reactions in the U.S. suggest a different perspective. In an unusually direct social media statement, Trump remarked, “I am not happy with the Russian strikes. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!”
In response to the tragedy that struck Kyiv, Zelensky cut short a trip to South Africa to return home swiftly after the fatal attack. He revealed that the missile responsible for yesterday’s catastrophic strike was supplied by North Korea. “According to preliminary information, the Russians used a ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea. Our special services are verifying all the details,” he stated on X, without elaborating further.
The missile, identified as a North Korean KN-23, struck a residential building located in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv during a comprehensive aerial assault by Russia. As it stands, Russia has yet to comment on Zelensky’s assertion, even as both nations have denied engaging in weapons transfers that violate UN embargoes.
In the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s military collaboration with North Korea has intensified, leading to concerns among European capitals and allies in Asia. Reports indicate that North Korea has supplied massive quantities of artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Moscow, with Ukrainian military intelligence estimating that by early 2025, Pyongyang had delivered 148 KN-23 and KN-24 missiles. These missiles are noted for their significant destructive capability, with warheads reaching up to one ton, exceeding the power of Russian equivalents.
As the conflict evolves, the implications of North Korea’s involvement weigh heavily on the region’s stability. The lessons learned in Ukraine provoke apprehension, resonating in the minds of leaders across not just Europe, but Asia as well.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
