Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a global response against Russia’s hostile actions, following a deadly attack on an apartment building in the Ukrainian city of Odesa on Saturday. The death toll has since risen, with the president urging action against Russian aggression.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy shared on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, about the attack that highlighted the significance of backing Ukraine.

According to him, victory in this conflict is imperative.

Up to this point, the death toll stands at 10 individuals, with three of them being children. According to a local official, the body of a third child was recovered from the debris, as well as that of the child’s mother.

Zelenskyy stated that Russia has deliberately targeted Ukrainian children for military purposes, following the discovery of the bodies of three children. These included three-year-old Mark, eight-month-old Yelyzaveta, and four-month-old Tymofiy, who were found buried under debris.

Local authorities predict that the number of casualties will increase, as there are still individuals who have not been located.

According to a recent Facebook update on Sunday, the local division of Ukraine’s primary emergency services reported that four additional individuals could possibly be stuck amidst the wreckage. Please share any thoughts or concerns you may have.

Governor Oleh Kiper reported that search and rescue teams are still combing the debris in search of survivors and victims.

Local officials declared a day of observance in memory of those who were affected.

During his video speech on Saturday evening, Zelenskyy called upon Western allies to supply weapons to Ukraine. He emphasized the urgency of doing so in order to prevent further loss of Ukrainian lives, particularly due to delays in receiving missile defense systems.

“It’s incomprehensible when lives are lost due to internal political games and conflicts among partners that hinder our defense. This behavior is unacceptable and will not be forgotten – the world will always remember.”

Washington officials are growing increasingly concerned about the lack of weapons and ammunition in Ukraine, as well as the decline in supply shipments from the U.S. The Associated Press reports that it has been over two months since the U.S. has provided military supplies to Ukraine.

At this time, House Speaker Mike Johnson has chosen not to hold a vote on the $95 billion foreign aid bill approved by the Senate, which includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. This choice may cause a delay of several weeks for the bill, adding to the already lengthy process it has undergone in Congress.

According to Senator Jack Reed, chairperson of the Senate Armed Services Committee, officials at the U.S. Department of Defense are exploring potential solutions that may involve utilizing current Pentagon reserves prior to receiving funding from Congress to restock them.

During a meeting at the White House this week, President Joe Biden along with the top two Democrats in Congress and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell all urged Johnson to hold a vote on the package that was passed by the Senate.

Ukraine talks

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that a meeting took place on Saturday evening between Special Representative Li Hui and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin in Moscow. They reached a mutual understanding that peaceful negotiations are the only solution to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

On Sunday, China’s foreign ministry released a statement stating that they are prepared to continue working towards peace talks, mediation, and consensus building among Russia, Ukraine, and relevant parties in order to facilitate a final political resolution to the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

According to a statement on its website, the Russian foreign ministry described the meeting discussing the war in Ukraine as a “highly involved and comprehensive discussion.” It was also noted that any talks about a political resolution and diplomatic solution cannot be achieved without involvement from Russia and considering its interests in matters of security.

According to Chinese and Russian state media, this marks the beginning of a European tour for China’s special envoy for Ukraine, which will also encompass visits to Brussels, Poland, Germany, and France.

Li’s second trip, after the one in May, coincides with Kyiv’s efforts to involve China in peace negotiations in Switzerland, scheduled for this spring. China asserts its neutrality in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, but maintains strong relationships with Moscow, with frequent exchanges and joint military exercises.

The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, stated on Sunday that he is optimistic about talks starting soon between Moscow and Kyiv for a cease-fire. Fidan made these remarks at a diplomatic event in Antalya and emphasized that “both parties have come to the end of what they can achieve through conflict.”

Fidan informed journalists that he had spoken about the topic of Ukraine, along with other matters, during his conversation with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. The discussion took place on Friday at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

He stated that it is time to initiate a conversation about implementing a cease-fire.

He stated that while the occupation by Russia should not be acknowledged, discussions regarding sovereignty and a cease-fire should be held separately.

Turkey, a participating country in NATO, has a shared maritime boundary with Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea. Despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, Turkey has strived to uphold positive relationships with both nations.

Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed information for this report.

Source: voanews.com