On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the US for its response to a Russian missile strike that hit the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, also known as Krivoy Rogon, on Friday.
Ukrainian officials said the missile strike killed 20 people, including nine children, and injured dozens more. Russia took credit for the attack and claimed that it targeted Ukrainian military commanders and foreign military advisors while they were meeting at a restaurant.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the strike “made the enemy lose up to 85 service members and military officers from foreign countries,” but offered no evidence for the assertion.
US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink responded to the attack by writing on X, “Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in Kryvyi Rih … This is why the war must end.”
Zelensky slammed the US ambassador for not mentioning Russia by name. “Unfortunately, the reaction of the US Embassy was an unpleasant surprise,” he said. “Such a powerful country, such a powerful nation—and such a weak reaction. They are afraid even to say the word ‘Russia,’ speaking about a missile that killed children. Yes, the war must end. But to end it, we must not be afraid to call things by their names.”
Zelensky called for more “pressure” and sanctions on Russia and for President Trump to help Ukraine acquire more air defenses. “We count on our agreements with the President of the United States, who promised to help find more Patriots,” he said.
On Sunday, Brink wrote another post on X that mentioned the same attack and named Russia. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine on this day of national mourning after a Russian missile attack in Krivvy Rih killed 20, including 9 children,” she said.
Zelensky’s harsh criticism of the US comes amid faltering negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and signs from the Trump administration that the US is ready to continue fueling the proxy war if the peace talks fail. After a brief pause, the US has continued to provide military aid and intelligence to Ukraine despite Zelensky’s frequent criticism of the US and his seeming unwillingness to make concessions for a lasting peace deal with Russia.
