russian strike — russian strike — The recent missile strike by Russia on the European Union’s mission in Kyiv has drawn strong condemnation from House president Annita Demetriou. In a statement released on social media, she expressed her unequivocal disapproval of the attack, which occurred on Thursday and resulted in significant casualties.
Demetriou noted, “Today, Kyiv once again came under massive Russian missile attacks, with a tragic toll of innocent lives and severe destruction of civilian infrastructure, including even the EU delegation.” Her comments highlight the ongoing violence in the region, which continues to affect civilians and infrastructure alike.
Describing the strikes as “violent and indiscriminate actions”, she asserted that such attacks undermine any hope for peace. Her thoughts are firmly with the victims and their families, as well as the EU staff in Kyiv. “Europe will not be intimidated. On the contrary, such attacks only reinforce our determination to support the Ukrainian people in their struggle for freedom and for a just and lasting peace,” she added.
According to reports from news agency Reuters, the missile strikes resulted in the deaths of “at least 18” individuals, including four children. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported at the EU building itself. In response to the attack, the European Union summoned the Russian envoy in Brussels, marking a significant diplomatic reaction.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas stated, “No diplomatic mission should ever be a target,” reinforcing the importance of protecting diplomatic personnel and facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy echoed this sentiment, declaring the strike as proof that “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table” and “continues killing instead of ending the war.”
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, described the attack as one of the largest on the city in recent months, underlining the severity of the situation. The international community is watching closely, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating that Russia has “shown its true colours”, referring to the targeting of the EU representation as indicative of the Russian regime’s lack of scruples.
While the Cypriot government has yet to issue a formal response to the strikes, spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis recently affirmed Cyprus’s steadfast support for Ukraine, recalling the island’s own experiences of occupation following the Turkish invasion over five decades ago. He welcomed US mediation efforts aimed at achieving sustainable peace, in line with international law and the will of Ukraine.
This attack comes in the wake of a meeting between European leaders and US President Donald Trump, where a joint statement from 26 EU member states (excluding Hungary) was released, expressing support for efforts to end Russia’s aggression. The statement underscored the need for a just and lasting peace that respects international law and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
As tensions escalate in the region, the commitment of the EU and its member states to support Ukraine remains strong, with discussions about security guarantees taking centre stage in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
