Russians in Riyadh refused to discuss halting strikes on civilian infrastructure – Zhovkva

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva said this in an interview with Ukrinform, Ukrinform reports.

"We specifically raised the issue of civilian infrastructure -- residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, and so on. What did Russia do? During the negotiations, according to information from the American side, they outright refused to discuss civilian infrastructure, telling the U.S. delegation that they had no mandate to address this matter," Zhovkva said.

He noted that Ukraine insisted on the protection of civilian sites from attacks.

"However, we see that Russia has instead intensified its shelling of our cities and social facilities. You have all witnessed the recent attacks following a supposed 'silence in the air' that Russia claims to observe. The strikes on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy prove that the Russians have no intention of halting their attacks -- at least not on civilians," Zhovkva said.

The meeting in Riyadh resulted in five key agreements between Ukraine and the U.S., including ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea, prohibiting strikes on energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine, further efforts on prisoner exchanges, and the return of children abducted by Russia.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine