European defence leaders yesterday vowed to tighten sanctions on Russia after a missile barrage on Kyiv killed 23 and left a diplomatic compound badly damaged.
The attack saw two missiles land just 50 yards from the EU mission in the Ukrainian capital, shattering doors and windows.
It also damaged the British Council’s headquarters nearby, resulting in the Russian ambassador being summoned to the Foreign Office.
Yesterday, French president Emmanuel Macron said Vladimir Putin will have ‘played’ Donald Trump if he refuses to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky as agreed.Â
He added that the EU would push for new ‘primary and secondary sanctions’ to pressure Moscow, and indicated both he and German chancellor Friedrich Merz could speak with Trump at the weekend.
The outrage over Russia’s air strikes on Thursday galvanised Europe’s leaders before their meeting in Copenhagen yesterday.
Calls grew for seizing frozen Russian assets, ramping up weapons deliveries and accelerating Ukraine’s path towards EU membership.
‘Everybody understands that, considering how Putin is mocking the peace efforts, the only thing that works is pressure,’ said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief.
European defence leaders yesterday vowed to tighten sanctions on Russia after a missile barrage on Kyiv killed 23 (Pictured: firefighters search for survivors in the rubble)
Yesterday, French president Emmanuel Macron (pictured) said Vladimir Putin will have ‘played’ Donald Trump if he refuses to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky as agreed
In a joint statement, the 27 EU member states said: ‘We will continue working with international partners including the US in order to end Russia’s war of aggression with a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.
‘The EU will continue and increase its comprehensive support for Ukraine, including by accelerating work on new sanctions.’
Ministers also discussed setting up a European-led security force in Ukraine once a ceasefire is agreed.
Advertisement
