In the night of April 24, 2025, Russia launched one of its largest missile and drone attacks on Kyiv since the war began. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 215 air targets were fired, 112 of which were intercepted. The strike led to at least 12 fatalities and over 90 people injured. The timing of the attack, conducted while most people were asleep, leaves no doubt that this operation was a terrorist act.
Unexpectedly, U.S. President Donald Trump responded. Although he had refrained from direct criticism of the Kremlin before, this time he made a sharp statement to Putin on his social platform Truth Social: “Vladimir, stop! 5000 soldiers die every week. Let’s strike a peace deal!” This comment likely reflects Trump’s growing frustration with how long the war has lasted and the stalled negotiations, which he has actively tried to end through diplomatic efforts.
However, in the following paragraph, Trump shifted his stance, accusing the Ukrainian government of obstructing peace by refusing to give up Crimea. He described the peninsula as “lost a long time ago” and emphasized that this was the primary obstacle to peace. These remarks sparked mixed reactions in Europe, with diplomatic circles warning against an overly soft approach toward the Kremlin, which could legitimize Russia’s aggressive actions.
European leaders were quick to condemn the attack on Kyiv, stressing that Russia was entirely responsible for the escalation of the conflict. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, stated: “**There is only one aggressor: Russia,” urging an immediate ceasefire without conditions. He further added that Russia has proven once again that its strategy is not about negotiations, but about destruction and fear.
Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany, accused Putin of trying to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people and said that peace initiatives should focus on halting the terror rather than making concessions to the aggressor.
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, described the strikes as “horrific attacks on civilians” and highlighted the importance of an immediate ceasefire without any compromises with the aggressor.
Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, said: “In 21st-century Europe, there is no place for missiles targeting children’s hospitals. This is terrorism, and we must respond as an alliance, not as individual countries.“
This attack appeared especially cynical, considering it took place just before the scheduled visit of U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff to Moscow. Western diplomats viewed this move as a blatant disregard for peace efforts, marking not just an ignorance of diplomacy, but a deliberate sabotage of any attempts to negotiate peace.
Meanwhile, Putin continues to show that, for him, diplomacy is merely a cover for his plans to further escalate the war. “He is striking Kyiv in the middle of diplomatic efforts, which is not just neglect but an outright deception. The world must respond not only with statements but with concrete actions,” emphasized Western diplomats.
NATO headquarters also condemned Russia’s missile and drone attacks, noting that these are part of Kremlin’s plan to break the will of the Ukrainian people. The alliance confirmed its intention to bolster its presence in the region, especially in Poland and the Baltic states, and to continue providing military aid to Ukraine.
Despite Trump’s calls for a “peace agreement,” European leaders stress that real peace will only be achievable once Russia ceases its aggressive actions and withdraws its forces from Ukrainian territory. They emphasize that no peace initiative can include concessions to the aggressor, who is violating international law.
In response to the recent attacks on Kyiv, European leaders are urging for stronger sanctions against Russia and the provision of additional military assistance to Ukraine to ensure its defense capabilities.
