Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations warned that Moscow’s latest attacks marked a serious escalation in the war…reports Asian Lite News
The UN Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the situation in Ukraine, according to a revised schedule, after Kyiv’s mayor urged residents to consider leaving the capital amid widespread heating outages caused by Russian strikes.
According to Arab News, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations warned that Moscow’s latest attacks marked a serious escalation in the war. In a letter to the Security Council seen by AFP, Ambassador Andriy Melnyk accused Russia of committing “an appalling new level of war crimes and crimes against humanity” through what he described as deliberate attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.
The warning came as Kyiv faced worsening conditions during sub-zero temperatures. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said nearly half of the city’s residential buildings had been left without heating following recent strikes, prompting officials to advise residents to prepare for possible evacuation if the situation deteriorated.
Russia has meanwhile confirmed firing an Oreshnik ballistic missile at Ukraine for the second time since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Melnyk said the Kremlin claimed the intermediate-range missile was used against the western Lviv region. Moscow has said the missile can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads and is difficult to intercept.
The Ukrainian envoy warned that the use of such a weapon posed a “grave and unprecedented threat” to European security.
Ukraine’s request for an emergency Security Council meeting was supported by six member states — France, Latvia, Denmark, Greece, Liberia and the United Kingdom — diplomatic sources told AFP. The session is expected to focus on civilian protection and the growing risks posed by attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war remains possible, citing mounting casualties on both sides and arguing that economic pressure on Moscow is beginning to take effect.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, on Sunday, Trump told reporters newly released figures underscore the urgency of ending the conflict. “Thirty thousand soldiers were killed this current month,” he said, adding that about 27,000 were killed the month before.
Trump said he does not set deadlines but remains hopeful. “Hopefully in the not too distant future,” he said, referring to a possible agreement.
Addressing reports that Ukraine may have targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence, Trump said initial information was unclear. “Nobody knew at that moment,” he said, adding that later checks suggested the claim was inaccurate.
“We don’t believe that happened,” Trump said.
Trump said the war is no longer a financial burden on the United States. “It’s costing us nothing,” he said, contrasting his approach with that of the Biden administration. “Biden gave $350 billion… now we get paid.”
He said the US is recovering costs through trade and resource arrangements, including rare earth deals. “We’re going to get a lot of that money back,” he said.
Later, Senator Lindsey Graham said sanctions and tariff pressure are hurting Russia’s economy and could force Moscow toward negotiations. He cited sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies as the strongest pressure applied since the war began.
“If you want to end this conflict, put pressure on Putin’s customers,” Graham said.
Trump agreed, saying the Russian economy is struggling. “The Russian economy is lousy,” he said.
Both said stopping the bloodshed remains the priority. “They’re not from America,” Trump said of the casualties. “They’re from Russia and Ukraine. And if I could get it stopped, I’d like to get it stopped.”
