Following Russia's recent large-scale missile attack on Kyiv, which resulted in the deaths of civilians, children, and damage to diplomatic and cultural institutions, a wave of global reactions ensued. Russian officials described the strikes as 'successful', while President Putin and the Kremlin indicated readiness for negotiations, though their actions are seen in the West as undermining peace initiatives.
The European Union, through Ursula von der Leyen, issued an urgent statement about preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia in response to the attack, which also damaged the EU and UK missions in Kyiv. The EU is working on utilizing frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's defense and summoned Russian diplomats for explanations.
China, in its response, emphasized the need to avoid escalation and called for political resolution to the conflict, refraining from directly criticizing Russia. The US and several experts noted that security guarantees for Ukraine must be asserted now, with a focus on increasing the supply of modern weaponry, including long-range missiles.
Separately, Russia has threatened Austria over its NATO ambitions, challenging Austria's sovereignty. This raises further concerns among EU nations regarding border security and the need to strengthen collective defense.
There is discussion about deploying a peacekeeping contingent from a neutral third country to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the West emphasizes the necessity of counteracting Russian aggression through sanctions, international pressure, and military support for Ukraine. Ukrainian society is actively fundraising to support the military and aerial reconnaissance efforts.
Additionally, a halt in gasoline sales was reported in Russia's Kuril Islands, highlighting economic issues driven by war and sanctions. The overview concludes with a call for determined international action to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine.
