While he prepared to send his delegation to Abu Dhabi to re-start peace talks today, this is what Vladimir Putin was doing on Sunday to keep the momentum going in Ukraine:

That building was the Kolibri Centre, where for nine years children with special educational needs have received exceptional support, helping them with socialization and rehabilitation to prepare them for inclusive education in schools. It was the furthest thing from a military installation; yet it was the intentional target of a Russian drone strike on November 8th. [Ivan Diakonov, Ukrainsika Pravda, November 9, 2026.]

This is what was left after the flames were extinguished:

The classrooms, remedial rooms, educational materials, and rehabilitation equipment were totally destroyed. In addition, Russian strikes damaged other civilian infrastructure in the city, including an apartment building and a hotel. At least seven people were injured, with an estimated 15 more being rescued by first responders. [Id.]

And Putin still tries to convince the world that he wants to end the war, while Donald Trump continues to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accede to some of Putin’s most outrageous demands.

So you’ll pardon me if I remain skeptical as to the likelihood of this week’s meetings amounting to anything. The parties will call the sessions “substantive” and “constructive”; the next round of talks may be scheduled in the near future; and the attacks and counterattacks will continue.

Meanwhile, nighttime temperatures in Ukraine are already below freezing, with hundreds of thousands of people living without heat, power, or other basic necessities . . . while Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov, Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Kirill Dmitriev, and all of the other Russian and American decision-makers sleep snug in their beds.

And Witkoff calls Putin a “humanitarian.”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/10/26