EU Leaders Condemn Russian Attacks on Kyiv, Demand Further Action Against Putin

European leaders have sharply criticized Vladimir Putin for sabotaging peace talks after recent Russian missile strikes on Kyiv claimed at least 23 lives and damaged crucial diplomatic buildings, including the EU and British Council offices. In response to the air attack, which resulted in a day of mourning in Kyiv, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that four children were among the deceased, with eight individuals still unaccounted for and 53 others injured. He remarked, "When instead of diplomacy Russia chooses ballistics, the world must respond accordingly," calling on Western allies to impose additional sanctions on Russia. Moreover, President Zelenskyy warned of a significant buildup of Russian military presence, stating that up to 100,000 troops are currently massing near Pokrovsk, indicating potential offensive actions. "There is a buildup and concentration of the enemy there," he remarked, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Kaja Kallas, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs, condemned the attacks, asserting that they demonstrate a blatant disregard for international law and undermine peace efforts. "Intentional attacks against civilians and nonmilitary objectives are war crimes," she stated, underscoring the EU's commitment to support Ukraine in pursuing a comprehensive and lasting peace. This statement received backing from all EU member states, except for Hungary, whose leader Viktor Orbán has been aligned with Putin and has historically criticized Ukraine while obstructing EU aid to the nation. The attacks on Kyiv marked the deadliest escalation since a controversial meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin, which yielded no substantial results, and has led to questions regarding the effectiveness of past diplomatic engagements. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Putin would seek to manipulate any discussions with Trump if he were to meet with Zelenskyy. Following a meeting with German leader Friedrich Merz, France and Germany committed to bolstering Ukraine's air defense. In a joint statement, key EU nations reinforced that despite extensive diplomatic initiatives, Russia shows no intention of halting its aggression towards Ukraine. Kallas reiterated that the attacks reflect Putin's mockery of peace efforts, urging that pressure should be intensified on Russia—something she believes is necessary for a meaningful response. Following the deadly strikes, the EU announced plans for a new round of sanctions against Russia, marking the 19th such measure since the onset of full-scale invasion in 2022. Additionally, military assistance for Ukraine will be increased, and discussions regarding the potential seizure of €210 billion of Russian assets frozen within the bloc are ongoing. Lithuania's Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė characterized hopes for peace negotiations as "naive," suggesting that Putin is merely buying time to cause further harm. She praised the peace strategies being implemented by Washington, highlighting the need for a robust international stance against the Kremlin. Colm McGivern, the director of the British Council in Ukraine, reported that the recent airstrikes injured a security guard and rendered the organization's Kyiv headquarters unusable. He noted that while there was no conclusive evidence that the attack was intentional, Russia has consistently targeted educational and cultural institutions in Ukraine. The latest air attacks have galvanized calls for the utilization of Russia's frozen assets in Europe as leverage in negotiations with Putin and to bolster Ukrainian defenses. Minister Šakalienė expressed strong support for repurposing these assets to benefit Ukraine's defense industry, thereby motivating Putin to engage in negotiations. The EU acknowledges plans to deploy windfall profits from Russian assets to support Ukraine. However, apprehensions linger regarding the potential impact on investor confidence within the eurozone's financial institutions, complicating the process of seizing these assets. A meeting among EU foreign ministers is set to deliberate on the usage of Russia's frozen assets as the conflict continues to escalate, with leaders aiming to fortify Ukraine's operational capabilities in light of recent military developments. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2