Ukraine's northern neighbor was used as a staging ground for Russia's 2022 invasion, but the country seems intent on not being drawn further into the Kremlin's war.

The deadly attack comes on the eve of a Nato leaders' summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Donald Trump in a July 4 call lasting nearly 90 minutes in which the US leader again offered to help end the Ukraine war, according to Russia’s foreign ministry.

Following this humiliation, Europe issued sweeping sanctions against Russia and joined the United States in offering extensive support to Ukraine. Most of the continent’s countries severed almost all their official lines of contact with the Kremlin.

Ukraine has a secret weapon holding the line against impossible odds. But it’s not so secret. It’s women. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, is refusing to learn the lessons of Russia’s own history, and the reality of his bungled three-day invasion now stretching into its fifth year.

Ukraine is taking the war to Russia, but so far President Vladimir V. Putin’s response has been to keep attacking, including with deadly ballistic missile and drone strikes in Kyiv on Thursday.

On Monday, former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him of treating his return to the White House as a mandate for personal enrichment. Chris Christie Compares Trump’s Conduct To Vladimir Putin In a post on X,

Trump convinced members at last year’s summit to boost defense spending. And this year, he is pushing allies to buy American arms to help pay for that increase.