Deadly missile strikes on Ukrainian civilians spark outrage from Lithuania, Poland, and Finland; EU foreign ministers demand accountability as ceasefire hopes fade.
Foreign ministers from Lithuania, Poland, and Finland issued a scathing joint condemnation of Russia’s latest assault on Ukraine, describing the deadly missile strikes on the city of Sumy as a blatant rejection of peace efforts and a direct affront to ongoing ceasefire negotiations involving the United States.
A Devastating Attack on a Holy Day
The condemnation follows a missile barrage that struck the heart of Sumy on Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 civilians and injuring dozens more. According to Ukrainian officials, the attack included the use of cluster munitions—a controversial weapon banned by many international treaties—against civilian gathering sites.
Witnesses described chaos in the aftermath of the strikes, which occurred while residents were celebrating the Christian holiday. Emergency services worked overnight to clear rubble and recover victims, many of whom were attending services at a local church and an adjacent community center.
“This is a war crime by definition,” declared Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, whose country has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters in the EU. “The use of cluster munitions on a religious holiday, in a civilian area, is not just inhumane—it is criminal.”
Diplomatic Fury in Luxembourg
The remarks came on Monday as European Union foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg to discuss regional security, energy, and diplomatic strategy amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The strike on Sumy dominated discussions, prompting fresh calls for tougher action against Moscow.
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, said he was “shocked and outraged” by the attack.
“This was Russia’s mocking response to the ceasefire proposal put forth by Kyiv more than a month ago,” Sikorski told reporters. “It sends a clear signal that the Kremlin has no intention of pursuing peace.”
Sikorski also urged the United States to recognize the severity of the situation. “I hope that President Trump and the U.S. administration understand that the Russian leader is ridiculing their goodwill,” he said. “I trust that appropriate actions will be taken in response.”
Putin’s Timing Questioned After U.S. Envoy Visit
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen noted the disturbing timing of the assault, which came just hours after President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, concluded meetings with Russian officials in St. Petersburg.
“This attack shows Russia’s complete disregard for the peace process,” Valtonen said. “It also highlights a total lack of respect for human life, diplomacy, and the values we claim to uphold.”
Valtonen warned that the international community must not allow such actions to go unanswered, arguing that failure to respond would only embolden the Kremlin.
“Every day we hesitate, more civilians die,” she said. “This must be a wake-up call, not just for Europe, but for our partners across the Atlantic.”
Second Mass Casualty Attack in Just Over a Week
The Palm Sunday strike on Sumy is the second major attack on Ukrainian civilians in less than ten days. On April 5, a similar assault targeted a humanitarian aid convoy near Kharkiv, killing 19 people, including children and Red Cross volunteers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council and reiterated his appeal for additional Western military assistance.
“Russia is not negotiating peace—it is preparing for total war,” Zelenskyy said in a televised address. “The world must recognize the difference.”
Pressure Mounts on Washington
The renewed violence places growing pressure on the Trump administration, which has been actively promoting dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow. Critics argue that the administration’s approach—focused on private diplomacy and conditional aid—has allowed Russia to exploit the situation.
While President Trump has yet to publicly respond to the Sumy attack, a White House spokesperson said Monday that “the administration is closely monitoring the situation and will coordinate with allies on an appropriate response.”
But EU leaders are pushing for more.
“Words are no longer enough,” said Sikorski. “We need a coordinated, decisive response. Sanctions, military support, legal accountability—we must use every tool available.”
Calls for Accountability and Legal Action
Several EU ministers emphasized the need to hold Russia legally accountable for war crimes. Lithuania’s Budrys said that his government would submit new evidence of the Sumy strike to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
“These are not isolated incidents—they are part of a systematic campaign of terror,” Budrys said. “The perpetrators must be brought to justice.”
The EU is also expected to consider expanding its sanctions list to include additional Russian military commanders, arms manufacturers, and financial institutions linked to the war effort.
Growing Unity in Europe, but Divisions Remain
While Monday’s meeting in Luxembourg showed a united front from northern and eastern EU member states, some western European nations continue to advocate for a more cautious approach.
France and Germany have not yet commented publicly on the Sumy attack, though diplomats say internal discussions are underway.
“The EU must speak with one voice,” said Valtonen. “There is no room for ambiguity when civilians are being massacred.”
Outlook: A Long Road Ahead
As Ukraine braces for further attacks and the EU mulls its next move, the road to peace seems increasingly distant. The latest assault on Sumy has reinforced fears that Moscow is using ceasefire discussions as a smokescreen while continuing its military campaign.
For the residents of Sumy and other embattled Ukrainian cities, hope lies not in negotiations, but in tangible support and protection from allies.
“Peace cannot come through appeasement,” said Sikorski. “It must be built on strength, justice, and resolve.”
