Volodymyr Zelensky has backed his security forces by saying ‘he can’t, can’t trust’ information alleging that a deadly rocket blast was caused by Russia.
His comments come despite claims by several world leaders that it could have been fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian missile.
The Ukrainian president said he had no doubt that the explosion at a grain silo in Przewodow was not caused by a home missile.
He said, “I have no doubt it was not our missile,” and that he had based his conclusions on reports from Ukrainethe military that he “cannot help but trust.”
Zelensky also said he believes Ukraine should have already gained access to the site of the explosion to determine where it came from.
He said, ‘Do we have the right to be on the investigation team? Naturally.’
Zelensky also confirmed that Kiev had not received an offer from Moscow to begin peace talks, despite concerns about an escalation of the war following the incident.
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this week that Ukraine was not interested in holding peace talks with Russia, but Zelensky stated: “[The Russians] do not communicate with us.’
Bogusław Wos, 62, the foreman of the grain warehouse, and Bogdan Ciupek, 60, a tractor driver, were killed around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday when an S-300 missile hit the farm.
Initially feared for the missile may have been fired by Putin’s forcesleading to a confrontation between NATO and Russia that could have turned into WW3.
Warsaw initially claimed it came from Russia, which could have seen NATO invoke Article 5, in which an attack on one country is considered an attack on all countries.
Now leaders have said it was likely launched by Ukraine’s air defenses, allaying fears the attack could drag NATO into direct conflict with Russia but giving Vladimir Putin an excuse to lash out at the West.
The Kremlin has now summoned the Polish ambassador in Moscow to the Foreign Ministry to explain their “absolutely hysterical” reaction.
But Polish President Andrzej Duda has said it is “highly likely” that the Soviet-era weapon was fired by Ukraine’s air defenses to repel an attack by Russia that then accidentally hit his country.
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There is no indication that Poland was deliberately targeted, he added.
He said: “The defense of Ukraine launched their missiles in different directions and it is very likely that unfortunately one of these missiles fell on Polish territory.”
NATO head Jens Stoltenberg supported that analysis, saying the attack was likely a Ukrainian missile.
He said there is “no indication” that it was intentional and that there is “no indication” that Russia is preparing an attack on NATO.
However, he added: “This is not Ukraine’s fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility for continuing its illegal war against Ukraine.”
Ludivine Dedonder, Belgium’s defense minister, said preliminary investigations by his security forces point to the same thing.
Adding to reports that emerged in the early hours suggested that Biden had also told NATO leaders that the missile came from Ukraine.
The incident marks the first time during the conflict that NATO member Poland has been directly affected, sparking fears that a military response could be warranted.
Duda downplayed those fears today, however, saying it appears the death was a tragic accident.
The pair said Russia still bears ultimate responsibility for the attack, which would not have happened were it not for Putin’s war in Ukraine, but took options of a direct military response off the table.
Instead, NATO will discuss strengthening air defenses along Germany’s eastern border and offer to send jet patrols over Poland if requested.
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