Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky-photo: Internet

KYIV, Ukraine, April 5, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky on Saturday slammed the US embassy in Ukraine for what he called a
"weak" statement that did not blame Russia for a missile strike that killed
18 people.

The criticism came as US President Donald Trump has pushed for a partial
ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine while seeking a thaw in ties with
Moscow.

A Russian ballistic missile strike on Friday evening hit a residential area
in Zelensky's home town of Kryvyi Rig in central Ukraine, killing 18
including nine children. The Ukrainian president said 62 were wounded.

Writing on social media Zelensky said that the "reaction of the US Embassy is
unpleasantly surprising".

"Such a strong country, such a strong people -- and such a weak reaction,"
Zelensky said.

"They are even afraid to say the word 'Russian' when talking about the
missile that killed the children."

US Ambassador Bridget Brink posted on Friday evening when there was not a
complete toll: "Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a
playground and restaurant in (Kryvyi Rig). More than 50 people injured and 16
killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end."

Numerous comments under the post criticised Brink for not saying that Russia
launched the attack.

Brink was appointed by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden and has been ambassador
since May 2022.

In recent posts on X she has not directly named Russia while referring to
attacks on Ukraine, which she did regularly until mid-February, when Zelensky
and Trump had an angry exchange in the Oval Office.