Today (29 August) has been declared a day of mourning in Kyiv after Russia’s drone and missile attack the night before killed at least 23 people, including 4 children.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply condemned the strikes, declaring them a sign of Moscow’s rejection of diplomacy and a direct assault on the fragile efforts toward peace. President Donald Trump said he is “not happy but not surprised” with the attack. In contrast, European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia would "stop at nothing to terrorise Ukraine".
The attacks also damaged the buildings of the EU delegation and of the British Council. In response, European officials and British officials summoned Russian envoys to express formal condemnation.
In addition, European defence ministers are holding a meeting today in Copenhagen to discuss the war in Ukraine. It is expected that the political leaders of Europe will call for seizing Russia’s frozen assets, increase sanctions on Moscow, and increase military support for Ukraine.
The attack highlights yet again that President Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace with Ukraine. As the foreign policy chief for the European Union, Kaja Kallas, argues, he “is mocking the peace efforts”. This reinforces concerns in Europe that Moscow seeks only to achieve “peace” on its own terms.
