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Morning opening: Europe reacts to Sumy attack
Jakub Krupa
EU foreign ministers are convening in Luxembourg today to address significant foreign policy challenges, with the situation in Ukraine taking precedence.
In the wake of Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy, which resulted in the deaths of at least 34 individuals and left over 100 injured, the discussions will center on enhancing support for Ukraine and ways to counter Russian militant actions.
Strong reactions have emerged since the incident. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Moscow for its “blatant disregard for human lives, international law, and the diplomatic efforts led by President Trump,” illustrating the escalating tensions.
Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the actions of Russia as “serious war crimes” and decried the “perfidy” involved in the execution of the attack. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk likened the assault to “the Russian interpretation of a ceasefire.”
Upon arriving for the discussions, EU lead diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized the necessity of bolstering support for Ukraine to exert maximum pressure on Russia, especially as Vladimir Putin remains steadfast in rejecting ceasefire propositions.
Poland’s Radosław Sikorski vehemently criticized the attack, calling it “heinous” and argued that it reflects Russia’s blatant mockery of peace negotiations, urging the U.S. administration to recognize that Putin disregards their goodwill.
However, the U.S. response seems to diverge from the prevailing European sentiment.
In remarks made to the press, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged the attack, calling it “terrible,” yet suggested that it was merely a mistake. He went on to hold President Joe Biden responsible for allowing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, asserting, “this is not my war.”
In a related interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns that “Russian narratives are prevailing in the U.S.” He specifically pointed to Vice President JD Vance as someone who had inappropriately justified Putin’s movements.
Zelenskyy implored Trump, urging him “before any kind of decisions or negotiations, to witness the devastation inflicted on civilians, hospitals, and children.”
The question remains whether this invitation will be acted upon by the White House.
It’s Monday, 14 April 2025, this is Jakub Krupa, bringing you the highlights from Europe Live.
Good morning.
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EU trade commissioner Šefčovič in Washington for trade talks with US
The European Commission has confirmed that EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is currently in Washington, focusing on resolving ongoing trade disputes with the United States.
A spokesperson for the commission noted it is “too early to predict” the outcome of Šefčovič’s discussions, while affirming that the EU will pursue a “two-track” strategy, engaging in negotiations while preparing for alternative scenarios if these talks falter.
“We sincerely hope this meeting yields positive results,” the spokesperson remarked, acknowledging that “all options remain on the table.”
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In connection to Merz and Germany, the incoming chancellor faces challenges in the coalition-building process. Members of the young wing of his junior partner, the Social Democrats, have expressed resistance to the proposed coalition agreement.
Jusos leader Philipp Türmer stated to RTL/ntv that the presented deal lacks sufficient benefits for their constituency, highlighting concerns surrounding policies on labor and migration.
Various Jusos groups in regions like North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin, Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein have similarly voiced their opposition.
However, the leadership’s stance is not conclusive, allowing individual members to vote according to their perspectives. Starting Tuesday, approximately 360,000 members of the SPD will be consulted on the coalition agreement, with the Jusos holding around 70,000 members within that cohort.
The result of this vote is anticipated on 30 April, with Merz aiming to become the new chancellor in early May, contingent on receiving appropriate support from all factions involved.
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Incoming German chancellor Merz hints he is open to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine
The discussion regarding military assistance for Ukraine is poised to take center stage in today’s EU foreign ministers’ discussions.
Yesterday, incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that his administration may finally meet Ukraine’s request for Taurus missiles, which are capable of striking targets deep within Russia.
“I have always maintained that any decision would be made in consultation with our European allies,” he stated in an interview with ARD, acknowledging that nations like the UK and France are already providing such support to Ukraine.
“Our actions must be coordinated; if so, Germany should be involved,” he added.
This perspective departs significantly from that of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who had previously resisted sending these missiles due to concerns over escalating the conflict further.
The deployment of Taurus missiles, which could potentially reach targets in Moscow, would only be deemed safe if German troops were directly operable in their launch, a scenario unequivocally dismissed by Scholz last year.
Simultaneously, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 62 drones targeting the country overnight, as per Reuters.
Also, regional reports highlighted that overnight assaults by Russian forces caused a fire at a Zaporizhzhia petrol station, leading to injuries for at least eight individuals and damaging numerous homes across southeastern Ukraine.
In a separate event, a drone strike on Odesa also left seven injured and led to damages at several local residences and a medical facility late Sunday, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Emergency Service on Telegram.
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Russia will ignore European condemnations if Trump lets them get away with Sumy attack – analysis
Dan Sabbagh
The Sunday morning attack on Sumy marked a remarkably bold move by Russia, displaying an astonishing level of disregard for wartime norms. Two ballistic missiles, reported to be equipped with cluster munitions, struck a central area of the city during broad daylight, targeting civilians who were simply going about their day amidst Spring celebrations.
This level of aggression highlights a troubling culture of impunity surrounding Russian military actions, largely unrestricted by effective international pushback.
While there have been ongoing discussions in Washington, particularly under Trump’s administration, to negotiate peace by engaging directly with Moscow, there has been an alarming silence regarding Russian attacks aimed at civilians.
The stark contrast between the devastation witnessed in Sumy and the seemingly casual approach of Western leaders towards peace negotiations becomes glaringly apparent. Observers question the rationale behind any expectations that Ukraine would cede land when Russian aggression so openly targets civilians.
Russia appears to operate under the assumption that it can continue this behavior with little consequence, suggesting that the Kremlin will dismiss any denunciations from European leaders, while waiting for interest in the incident to wane. It is likely that assaults on Ukrainian urban areas will persist, leading to more destructive outcomes.
In Kyiv, President Zelenskyy holds out hope that Trump will ultimately recognize that Putin is not engaging in negotiations with sincerity, given that the Sumy strike hardly hints at any genuine intention for peace. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain when or if the White House will acknowledge that civilian casualties warrant a more substantial response to pressure Russia towards meaningful negotiations.
Source
www.theguardian.com