Russia refuses to discuss stopping strikes on civilian targets, Zelenskyy's aide says

Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

He emphasized that Ukraine insisted that there should be a ban on the attacks on civilian objects. However, the Russian delegation in Riyadh said that it allegedly could not discuss the cessation of attacks on civilian infrastructure because it did not have the appropriate mandate.

“Indeed, we talked separately about civilian infrastructure - about residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, and so on. What did Russia do? During the negotiations, as far as we understand from the information of the American side, they refused to talk about civilian infrastructure at all, telling the American delegation that they did not have a mandate to discuss this issue,” Zhovkva said.

Ukraine has emphasized that civilian infrastructure—such as schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and residential areas—must not be targeted. In contrast, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities and social facilities, the deputy head of the Presidential Office noted.

"You have seen all the incidents that have occurred in recent days, despite Russia’s supposed air silence. The strikes on Kryvyi Rih and Sumy prove that the Russians have no intention of stopping—at least not their attacks on civilians," he added.

• On Tuesday, March 25, a new round of talks took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, between the Ukrainian and American delegations.
• President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that on March 25, a ceasefire on energy infrastructure could be implemented, and this issue has been agreed upon with the United States.
• President Zelenskyy believes a ceasefire will offer only a brief chance for a peace deal, as the Kremlin keeps violating agreements.
• Ukraine’s General Staff has denied Russian allegations that Kyiv violated the ceasefire concerning energy facilities.
• Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, said that the ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia on energy facilities was officially agreed in Riyadh on March 23 and 24, and a partial 30-day truce came into effect at the same time.
• U.S. President Donald Trump believes that Russia wants to "see an end" to the war in Ukraine and sign a peace agreement, but they are likely "dragging their feet."
• On March 26, it was noted that Russia's conditions for an agreement on a ceasefire in the Black Sea included the lifting of European sanctions.