Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed dissatisfaction with the United States’ response to a recent Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, criticising the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv for omitting direct reference to Russia in its public statement on the incident.
In a message published on his official Telegram channel on 5 April, Zelenskyy said he was “unpleasantly surprised” by what he described as a weak reaction from the American side. The strike, which occurred on 4 April, resulted in multiple casualties, including children. Kryvyi Rih, located in central Ukraine, is the President’s hometown.
“It is very important that this Russian strike against people, against a city—and every such strike—does not go unanswered by the world,” Zelenskyy stated. “Many have already supported Kryvyi Rih and all of Ukraine yesterday and today. I am grateful for the principled stance taken by the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Austria.”
He also acknowledged statements of support and condemnation from the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as the embassies of Japan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany, all of which clearly attributed the attack to Russia.
“In contrast,” Zelenskyy said, “I am unpleasantly surprised by the reaction of the American Embassy. Such a strong country, such a strong people—and such a weak response. They are even afraid to say the word ‘Russian’ when talking about a missile that killed children.”
While the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv did issue a statement condemning the attack and expressing condolences for the victims, it reportedly did not explicitly identify Russia as the perpetrator, instead using more general terms to describe the incident. The statement’s language has sparked criticism in Ukraine, where expectations for strong and unambiguous support from key allies remain high.
Zelenskyy’s comments appear to reflect growing frustration in Kyiv over what is perceived as an increasingly cautious tone from some Western partners amid shifting geopolitical priorities. Although the United States remains Ukraine’s largest military donor, recent political developments in Washington have delayed further aid packages, contributing to concern in Kyiv over the consistency of American support.
In his remarks, Zelenskyy reiterated the importance of clear and direct language when addressing acts of aggression, arguing that naming the aggressor is critical to maintaining international pressure on Russia.
“To end this war, we must not be afraid to call things by their name and to exert pressure on the one party who continues this war and ignores all global proposals for peace,” he said.
The strike on Kryvyi Rih is one of several attacks carried out across Ukraine in recent days. Russian missile and drone strikes continue to target civilian infrastructure, despite repeated international condemnation. Ukrainian officials reported that residential buildings, energy facilities, and civilian areas were hit in the latest wave of attacks.
Western governments have routinely condemned such actions, though the language used in public statements often varies. While some countries have consistently named Russia as the aggressor in official communications, others have adopted more cautious formulations, citing diplomatic considerations.
Kyiv has repeatedly urged its partners to maintain a consistent narrative, warning that ambiguity can be interpreted as weakness and may embolden further aggression. Ukrainian officials have long maintained that international unity and clarity are essential components of any strategy aimed at deterring Moscow.
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