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EU foreign ministers to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia
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Volodymyr Zelensky has urged US president Donald Trump to visit Ukraine and see the devastation caused by Vladimir Putin’s war for himself.
This came after two Russian ballistic missiles struck the city of Sumy on Sunday, killing 34 people and wounding 117 in one of the deadliest strikes of the war.
Mr Zelensky has demanded a tough international response to the attack, which came as Mr Trump rapidly pushed to end the conflict.
EU foreign ministers were expected to meet in Luxembourg this morning to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia.
A video posted on social media by the Ukrainian president showed bodies strewn in the middle of a city street near a destroyed bus and burnt-out cars.
“Only scoundrels can act like this, taking the lives of ordinary people,” he said, noting the attack had come on Palm Sunday when some people were going to church.
Asking Mr Trump to see the destruction for himself, Mr Zelensky said in an interview with CBS: “Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead.”
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on Monday for “maximum pressure” on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, a day after a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy that killed 34 people, according to officials.
“I think we have to put the pressure, the maximum pressure, on Russia to really end this war, because it takes two to want peace,” Ms Kallas told reporters as she arrived at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
“All those who want the killing to stop should put the maximum pressure,” she said.
US president Donald Trump bitterly attacked 60 Minutes shortly after the CBS programme broadcast stories on Ukraine and Greenland.
He said the network was out of control and should “pay a big price” for going after him on Sunday.
“Almost every week, 60 Minutes … mentions the name ‘TRUMP’ in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekend’s ‘BROADCAST’ tops them all,” the president said on his Truth Social platform.
He called on Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr to impose maximum fines and punishment “for their unlawful and illegal behaviour”.
The network had no immediate comment.
Scott Pelley travelled to Ukraine to conduct an interview with that country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, on the site of a Russian attack where nine children were killed earlier this month.
In the interview broadcast on Sunday, Mr Zelensky said he has “100 per cent” hatred for Russian president Vladimir Putin for the invasion of Ukraine, and invited Mr Trump to visit his country to see what has been done.
Also on Sunday, correspondent Jon Wertheim reported from Greenland on what some people in that nation are saying about Mr Trump’s desire to take control.
European Union foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia, the European Pravda reported.
“The European Union supports continued pressure on Russia, and therefore the 17th sanctions package and other means of pressure will be part of the conversation at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting,” an official told the outlet on the condition of anonymity.
While the agenda includes Ukraine’s EU accession talks, the “coalition of the willing” is also likely to discuss the initiative to deploy a monitoring mission in the war-torn country.
Orchestra musician Olen Kohut was among the 34 people killed in Russia’s deadly strike on Sumy.
Confirming her demise, Sumy National Theatre said on Facebook: “On April 13, 2025, as a result of a missile strike by Russia, our theater family suffered a pain that words cannot describe. Inflicted wounds killed our colleague, artist of the orchestra theater — Olena Kohut.”
A soloist-organist, “Elena was an extremely bright person, a true professional, a sympathetic colleague, and a reliable friend. Her music, her smile, her kindness — will forever be in our memories”, the theater added.
“This is an irreparable loss for our collective, for the entire music community, for everyone who knew and appreciated Olena as an artist and as a person,” the Sumy Oblast Philharmonic said.
Germany’s incoming chancellor accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of committing a “war crime” in Ukraine after a missile attack on Sumy left 34 people dead.
The attack was “a deliberate and calculated war crime”, Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, said.
“There are two waves of attacks and the second arrived as emergency workers were taking care of the victims,” he said.
“That is the response, that is what Putin does to those who talk with him of a ceasefire.”
French president Emmanuel Macron called the Russian attack a “blatant disregard of human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts of President Trump”.
“Strong measures are needed to impose a ceasefire on Russia,” he said.
“France is working tirelessly toward this goal, alongside its partners.”
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called the attack “barbaric”. “Russia was and remains the aggressor,” she said.
“Strong measures are urgently needed to enforce a ceasefire. Europe will continue to reach out to partners and maintain strong pressure on Russia until the bloodshed ends and a just and lasting peace is achieved, on Ukraine’s terms and conditions.”
British prime minister Keir Starmer said he was “appalled at Russia’s horrific attacks on civilians in Sumy”.
The US has condemned Russia’s attack on Sumy that left 34 people dead.
Describing the attack as “horrifying”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended “deepest condolences to the victims”.
“This is a tragic reminder of why President Trump and his administration are putting so much time and effort into trying to end this war and achieve durable peace,” he said.
Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Donald Trump to visit Ukraine to see the devastation from Vladimir Putin’s war.
“Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead,” he said in an interview with CBS News, addressing the US president.
“You will understand with whom you have a deal.”
“It will not be theater, with preparing actors in the streets and the [city] center,” he said, adding that it is only after the visit that Mr Trump will “understand what Putin did”.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine have updated the latest death toll in Sumy.
They said as of 6pm local time: “34 people have died, including 2 children.
“117 people have been injured, including 15 children.
“We express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. This is an irreparable loss for the entire country.”
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Ukraine war live: Zelensky asks Trump to see devastation after Sumy missile attack – The Independent
