By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine’s president has urged the world to pressure Russia to stop continuing attacks on his war-torn nation after authorities said at least two people were killed and 15 injured in a Russian drone strike on the Black Sea port city of Odesa.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that “for over 50 days now, Russia has been ignoring the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire.”
He added that they included “refrain from striking civilian infrastructure and to establish lasting silence in the sky, at sea, and on land. Russia has responded to all this with new shelling and new assaults.”
Local authorities said Thursday’s barrage struck apartment buildings, private homes, a supermarket, and a school.
Amid the bloodshed, Zelenskyy called for “a strong push for diplomacy” as “continued pressure on Russia is essential to force it into silence and negotiations.”
The more “effective the sanctions, the more incentives Russia will have to end the war. The stronger Ukraine’s defense and our Air Defense Forces are, the more lives we will be able to save – and the sooner we will be able to guarantee lasting security. I thank everyone around the world who is helping,” President Zelenskyy added.
MAJOR DEAL
He spoke after Kyiv and Washington signed a significant deal granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth minerals in exchange for long-term economic and military support.
President Zelenskyy also issued a separate update on Wednesday’s talks with Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, and Defence Minister Yuriko Backes about reconstructing his devastated country.
Writing alongside a video showing how he welcomed Bettel with a big bear hug for the meeting, he said: “We are grateful for all the expressions of support for our state, as well as for the new aid packages aimed at supporting Ukraine’s energy sector and defense capabilities.”
He added they discussed “discussed Luxembourg’s participation in the reconstruction of the Kryvyi Rih district and the city of Kryvyi Rih, as well as our European integration.”
The city was the site of massive Russian attacks that killed and injured numerous civilians, including children, in recent weeks.
Kyiv’s key message, Zelenskyy said, is that “Ukraine is ready for a full and unconditional ceasefire for a sufficient period, which should be the first step toward peace.”
And, “We are ready for negotiations, but only after the killing of our people stops. And we are grateful to everyone who supports us in this,” he stressed.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
A government ban on major social media platforms that enraged young Nepalis has spiraled into the country’s deadliest political violence in decades, with authorities saying Sunday that at least 72 people have been killed and hundreds more injured during protests reflecting years of frustration over corruption, inequality, and “curbs on freedoms.”
Throughout the Hill Country, crosses, words of Jesus, prayers and messages of hope are written on memorials honoring nearly 150 killed from the catastrophic July 4 flash flood.
The NATO military alliance has begun rolling out its defensive posture on its eastern flank bordering Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. NATO leaders said the new equipment is aimed at deterring potential Russian aggression after at least 19 Russian drones entered Polish territory and Romania also reported a violation of its airspace.
Israel’s surprise strike on Hamas political leaders in Qatar showcased its growing arsenal of advanced ballistic missiles and its ability to deploy them at long range with precision, according to an exclusive report by the Wall Street Journal.
More than 100,000 people packed into central London on Saturday for what organizers billed as the largest free speech rally in British history. The “Unite the Kingdom” march, spearheaded by activist Tommy Robinson, featured a live video appearance by billionaire Elon Musk and a tribute to slain U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Christians in Pakistan’s flood-hit Punjab province were among those struggling to survive Thursday, while in Indonesia, at least 19 people were confirmed dead after flash floods struck the tourist island of Bali and other regions as deadly monsoon waters swept across parts of South Asia.
Much of the world is mourning after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the born-again Christian conservative leader, who inspired his generation and whose widow praised him as a loving husband with a deep faith in Jesus Christ.