Morning Update: Europe Responds to the Sumy Attack
Jakub Krupa
EU foreign ministers are convening in Luxembourg today to address critical foreign policy challenges, with Ukraine leading the agenda.
In the wake of Russia’s shocking Palm Sunday attack on Sumy that resulted in over 34 fatalities and more than 100 injuries, leaders will assess how to further assist Ukraine in countering Russian hostility.
Political figures reacted strongly on Sunday. French President Emmanuel Macron accused Moscow of “flagrant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump.”
Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz charged Russia with “serious war crimes” and “deceitfulness” regarding the execution of the attack. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the attack as “the Russian interpretation of a ceasefire.”
On their arrival this morning, the rhetoric from leading foreign policy figures was equally direct. The EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas stated it underscores the necessity of backing Ukraine “to exert maximum pressure on Russia” as Vladimir Putin persists in dismissing ceasefire proposals.
Poland’s Radosław Sikorski remarked that the “atrocious” attack was “Russia mocking” peace initiatives led by President Trump, expressing hope that the US administration recognizes that “the Russian leader is mocking their goodwill.”
However, the situation appears to be perceived differently in the US.
In a remarks to reporters last night, US President Donald Trump condemned the attack in Sumy as “terrible,” while adding he was “informed it was a mistake.” He subsequently held Joe Biden accountable for the Russian incursion into Ukraine, claiming: “this is not my conflict.”
Coincidentally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned in a CBS interview that he had concerns that “Russian narratives are gaining traction in the US,” specifically targeting Vice President JD Vance for his controversial statements that seemed to justify Putin’s actions.
Zelenskyy also made an urgent appeal to Trump, urging him to “before any negotiations, come witness the devastation that has befallen civilians, soldiers, hospitals, churches, and the children who have been killed or injured.”
Let’s see if the White House responds to his invitation.
It’s Monday, April 14, 2025, I’m Jakub Krupa, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
Key events
The Ukrainian air force announced on Monday that Russia launched 62 drones to attack the country overnight, according to Reuters.
Additionally, regional officials reported that overnight bombings from Russia ignited a fire at a gas station in Zaporizhzhia, injured at least eight individuals, and damaged residences throughout the southeast of Ukraine.
Seven individuals sustained injuries in a Russian drone strike on the Black Sea port of Odesa, which also caused damage to multiple homes and a medical facility late on Sunday, as reported by Ukraine’s Emergency Service on Telegram.
Russia will overlook European condemnations if Trump allows them to evade accountability for the Sumy attack – analysis
Dan Sabbagh
By any standards of war, Russia’s attack on Sumy on Sunday was exceptionally bold. Two high-speed ballistic missiles, which Ukraine states were equipped with cluster munitions, struck the heart of the border city during mid-morning while families attended church, awaited a theatre performance, or merely strolled in pleasant spring weather.
Civilian vehicles charred at the site of a Russian missile strike in the city center, claiming many civilian lives in Sumy, Ukraine. Photograph: Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images
To consider an attack on a city center during the day, fully aware that civilians would be present, demonstrates a Russian culture of impunity that has gone unchecked. Nevertheless, Washington’s strategy under Donald Trump has been to seek negotiations to end the conflict by directly engaging with Moscow while largely ignoring Russian strikes on civilians.
The discrepancy between the carnage in Sumy and the handshake captured on camera between Witkoff and Putin is glaring to observers. It’s puzzling why there would even be considerations for Ukraine to relinquish territory (a demand the US also cannot compel from Kyiv) while Russia continues to launch daylight attacks on civilians.
However, Moscow acts as if it believes it can act without consequences. The Kremlin will dismiss European leaders’ condemnation and patiently wait for public attention to shift – likely continuing to target Ukrainian cities with little military justification. With drone strikes more frequent and concerns rising that they are increasingly armed with cluster munitions, they also keep firing one to two ballistic missiles that are challenging to intercept on a daily basis.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv hopes that gradually, Trump will come to understand that Putin is negotiating in bad faith. The recent missile attack on Sumy clearly indicates a lack of desire for peace. Yet it remains uncertain when, if ever, the White House will conclude that the slaughter of civilians necessitates imposing real pressure on Russia to negotiate rather than indulging the Kremlin.
Morning Update: Europe Reacts to the Sumy Attack
Jakub Krupa
EU foreign ministers are gathering in Luxembourg today to examine the critical foreign policy issues facing the bloc, with Ukraine being the foremost concern.
In the aftermath of Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy that left at least 34 dead and over 100 injured, the leaders will consider further actions to assist Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression.
The political fallout was swift on Sunday, with French President Emmanuel Macron attributing blame to Moscow for “a blatant disregard for human life, international law, and President Trump’s diplomatic efforts.”
Incoming Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz accused Russia of “serious war crimes” and of “deception” in executing the attack. Polish PM Donald Tusk remarked that the incident symbolized “the Russian take on a ceasefire.”
Upon arrival this morning, key foreign policymakers echoed similar sentiments. The EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas commented that this incident serves as a crucial reminder of the need to support Ukraine “to exert maximum pressure on Russia,” especially as Putin continues to dismiss ceasefire proposals.
Poland’s Radosław Sikorski criticized the “disgraceful” attack, describing it as “Russia’s mocking retort” to the peace initiatives from Trump, expressing hope that the US would recognize that “the Russian leader is disregarding their goodwill.”
But this perspective does not appear to be the case in the United States.
In comments to reporters last night, US President Donald Trump termed the Sumy attack as “horrific,” but stated he was “informed that it was an error.” He subsequently placed blame on Joe Biden for the Russian assault on Ukraine, asserting: “this is not my conflict.”
In a related interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed to CBS his concern that “Russian narratives are gaining traction in the US,” specifically calling out Vice President JD Vance for justifying Putin’s actions during the notorious Oval Office incident.
Zelenskyy has also made a desperate appeal to Trump, urging him to “before making any decisions or entering negotiations, witness the destruction of civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, and the plight of innocent children.”
Let’s see if this invitation receives a response from the White House.
Today is Monday, 14 April 2025, I’m Jakub Krupa, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
