This is heartbreaking — more civilian lives lost on both sides while political leaders keep escalating. Let’s be clear: Russia’s full-scale invasion set this destructive cycle in motion, and Putin bears responsibility for the suffering across Ukraine. At the same time, any strikes that put Russian civilians at risk — or that damage essential infrastructure like hospitals, schools and energy systems — are unacceptable and deepen the humanitarian crisis. We urgently need independent verification of these claims and transparent investigations into all civilian casualties. The international community must simultaneously ramp up humanitarian aid, protections for refugees, and legal pressure on those who ordered or carried out attacks, while continuing to support Ukraine’s right to defend itself. Ultimately, the goal has to be a negotiated end to the war that upholds Ukrainian sovereignty, accountability for war crimes, and real measures to prevent further loss of innocent life. My thoughts are with everyone caught in this violence.