Ukrainians are attacking civilians, says Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of attacking civilians, stating that this justifies his decision not to engage in direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to reports from Reuters and other international media, Putin made these remarks during a meeting with members of his government, emphasizing that the attacks carried out by Ukrainian drones aim to destabilize Russian society. He also noted that the task of countering these threats primarily falls on Russia’s Ministry of Defense and other security forces, while the government must take additional measures to minimize the impact of such actions on the country's infrastructure.

The accusations come amid ongoing tensions between the two nations since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has seen both sides conducting strikes deep into each other's territories, with Ukraine focusing its efforts on disrupting Russia's energy supply and logistics networks. According to Reuters, the number of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries has doubled since the beginning of this year, leading to fuel shortages in some regions of Russia and areas under Moscow's occupation. In response, Russia is considering a complete ban on oil exports and other measures aimed at stabilizing its domestic fuel market.

During a recent address to graduates of military academies, Putin highlighted the progress of Russian troops on the battlefield and described the Ukrainian drone attacks as attempts to divert attention from this advancement and destabilize Russian society. This statement follows a major Ukrainian strike on June 18, which targeted Moscow and a refinery in the city's Kapotnya district. Despite these claims, Ukraine maintains that its attacks focus on military and logistical targets linked to the oil industry, aiming to weaken Russia's ability to fund the war through oil sales.

According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), at least 16,126 civilians have been confirmed dead since the start of the Russian invasion, including hundreds of children. Most of these casualties occur in areas controlled by the Ukrainian government, where Russian forces conduct attacks on civilian infrastructure. However, the UN notes that the actual death toll is likely higher than what can be verified due to limited access and restricted information availability. Additionally, the HRMMU does not include reports from Russian authorities regarding civilian casualties within Russia itself, which remain unverified.

Efforts to negotiate an end to the war between Moscow and Kyiv, mediated by the United States, have yet to yield significant breakthroughs. Zelenskyy has repeatedly proposed direct meetings with Putin, but the latter has consistently refused, citing the alleged attacks on civilians as justification. During his recent speech, Putin reiterated that current Ukrainian drone attacks, which he claims target civilians, do not support such discussions.

In parallel developments, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has submitted an updated application for membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This move comes as part of Kyiv's broader strategy to integrate more closely with Western institutions. During a meeting with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's commitment to reforms and standards aligned with OECD principles. He expressed hope that Ukraine could achieve candidate status by the end of the year, with subsequent steps involving guidelines for full membership.

Zelenskyy also reaffirmed Ukraine's desire for accelerated accession to the European Union, which he views as the best guarantee of security for both Ukraine and Europe. He stated that negotiations with the EU should reach their final stages by July 15, coinciding with Ukraine's Independence Day. These diplomatic moves underscore Ukraine's determination to strengthen ties with Western partners despite the ongoing conflict with Russia.

As the situation remains volatile, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, seeking ways to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Meanwhile, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with no immediate signs of a shift toward direct dialogue or a negotiated settlement.