Targeted attack during massive air raid
On 28 August 2025, Russia launched a large-scale air assault on Kyiv, striking not only residential areas and civilian infrastructure but also the Delegation of the European Commission in Ukraine. The attack left multiple civilians dead and caused significant destruction in the capital. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova strongly condemned the strike, declaring that the war had directly reached the European Union. She stressed on her Facebook page that no one could convince her this was not a deliberate act by Vladimir Putin.
EU sees attack as assault on Europe
Mathernova emphasized that Russia’s action was not a military operation but pure terror, intentionally targeting a European diplomatic mission. In EU political circles, the attack is increasingly being interpreted as a direct strike against the European Union itself. This understanding reinforces the view that the Kremlin is seeking to expand the war beyond Ukraine and into Europe, disregarding international law and security guarantees.
Undermining U.S. peace efforts
The strike occurred against the backdrop of diplomatic initiatives led by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has sought to organize peace talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin’s escalation, including recent attacks on other foreign-linked facilities such as the American Flex factory in Zakarpattia, is seen as an effort to undermine Washington’s peace agenda and weaken Trump’s political authority. Moscow’s actions suggest a determination to pursue military rather than diplomatic solutions.
Calls for stronger EU response
Within the EU, the perception of deliberate aggression is driving discussions about strengthening sanctions and expanding defensive support for Ukraine. European leaders increasingly recognize the necessity of enhancing their own security capabilities, while also pressing Washington to intensify pressure on Moscow. Analysts note that a shift toward a tougher Western stance against the Kremlin could accelerate steps toward a genuine peace process by demonstrating that concessions and dialogue alone cannot restrain Russia’s war aims.
