Russia says 'air strikes against Ukraine will continue' and Kiev does not seek negotiations

Ukraine attacks refinery in Moscow; smoke forces the closure of airports
Russia stated this Friday (19) that air strikes against Ukraine will continue and that it believes that Kiev is not interested in negotiating.
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In his daily press conference with journalists, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been successful in their drone attacks on Moscow and stated that measures are being taken to eliminate the consequences.
"Russian air strikes against Ukraine will continue. Ukraine's policy does not seek negotiations," he declared.
The spokesman was also questioned about statements made by European leaders during the G7 summit, reinforcing support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and discussing new sanctions against Moscow.
Said that Europeans are "stupid or incompetent" if they believe they can negotiate with Russia from a position of strength:
"Russia is open to dialogue with Europeans, but will not accept ultimatums."
Intense exchange of attacks a day earlier
A massive attack by Ukrainian drones this Thursday (18) hit a major oil refinery in Moscow, for the second time this week. The offensive dyed part of the sky over the Russian capital with black smoke and even closed the airport.
On the Ukrainian side, Kiev was also hit by missiles fired by Russia, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky articulated support for his country at the G7 summit, which took place in France.
Massive drone attack
According to Russia, the air defense system destroyed 555 drones across the country. In the Moscow region, the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported shooting down 180 drones.
In addition to the refinery, a residential building, an industrial facility and some houses were damaged in the attack, the government said. The impacts extended to the capital's air traffic, with the main airport having its operations temporarily suspended and people evacuated.
Dense smoke is seen in Moscow this Thursday (18) following attacks.
Social Media / Reproduction via Reuters
On Tuesday (16), the refinery had already been the target of an attack that caused widespread damage to Russian energy facilities.
Russia, the world's third largest oil producer and a major fuel exporter, is expected to import fuel this month to contain the impacts of the gasoline shortage crisis, according to industry sources.
Photo provided by the official Telegram channel of the governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyev, shows firefighters putting out the fire of a burning car after a Ukrainian drone attack on the outskirts of the capital.
Reproduction via AP
Missiles in Kiev
In parallel, the capital of Ukraine was targeted by Russian ballistic missiles, Kiev municipal authorities reported. Air raid warnings have been issued for most of Ukraine's territory.
Authorities in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy said one person was killed in a drone strike.
Earlier this week, a major attack on the city killed 10 people, caused a serious fire and destroyed part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the oldest and most important Christian monasteries in the country, located in the capital. Russia denied having hit the monastery.
Russian attack destroys roof of UNESCO-listed monastery in Kiev
Zelensky speaks at G7
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, met with European leaders on Tuesday (16) at the G7 summit in France. According to him, the meeting discussed the application of new sanctions against Russia, and the leaders showed support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Zelensky met with the President of the United States, Donald Trump; the President of France, Emmanuel Macron; UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer; the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; and the Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi; as well as the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The meeting took place behind closed doors, but a French diplomat who declined to be named told the Reuters news agency that the G7 leaders agreed that the dynamics on the battlefield now favor Ukraine and committed to providing Kiev with more air defense resources.
"There was unanimity among all G7 leaders that Russia is not winning the war and "Ukraine needs to make a deal as quickly as possible. The G7 discussed sanctions on Russia's energy, banking and military sectors," Zelensky said in an interview with Reuters, adding that he had once again pressured his allies for his country's accession to the European Union: "Ukraine needs creative solutions to quickly enter the EU or Russia will find ways to block admission." war.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in conversation during the g7 summit
X / Reproduction
In a post on the social network implemented. Russia must learn that its war will never be normalized."
In the early hours of Thursday, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that the country will finance a fourth of the US weapons package with 200 million euros.
*With information from Reuters.

Source: G1