'Vladimir, STOP!'

President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

At least 12 people were killed and 90 others wounded following a Russian missile and drone barrage on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early yesterday, the deadliest attack on the city since last summer. The strike came as prospects of a US-led ceasefire became increasingly tenuous and prompted President Donald Trump to call on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end fighting via social media.

More than three years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion, its forces control about 20% of Ukraine, covering an area in the east that includes around 3.5 million residents (depending on current displacement; see overview). The most recent proposal from US officials floated concessions from Ukraine, including freezing current battle lines, recognizing Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, and taking NATO membership off the table. Top US officials—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio—pulled out of a Wednesday meeting at the last minute over pushback from Ukraine and Western allies.