Zelenskyy says Putin trying to avoid leaders meeting by targeting Mukachevo plant

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday said Russia’s strike on the American Flex plant in Mukachevo was a demonstrative and deliberate attack aimed at avoiding the necessity of holding leader-level talks.

“A very demonstrative strike - just like this entire massive attack. Exactly at a time when the world expects clear answers from Russia about ending the war”, Zelenskyy stated.

He noted there were two possible negotiation formats at the leadership level where real progress could be made: a bilateral one between Ukraine and Russia, and a trilateral one involving Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

“We discussed this in Washington. Putin also discussed it with President Trump over the phone. Now, the signals coming from Russia are, frankly, disgraceful. They are trying to avoid the necessity of holding a meeting. They do not want to end this war. They continue massive attacks on Ukraine, on the frontlines, and even launch missiles at an American enterprise - just like they do at many of our other entirely civilian targets”, Zelenskyy said.

Russian forces struck Mukachevo earlier the day, damaging several facilities, including the Flextronics factory of US-based Flex International, a global leader in electronics contract manufacturing. Reports said 19 people were injured, but the number later rose to 23.