Luxembourg/Brussels - EU foreign ministers are meeting again on Monday for talks on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The conflict has been ongoing for more than three years, continuing to cause serious casualties and damage to infrastructure. The situation has escalated again after a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian town of Sumy on Sunday left 34 dead and more than 100 wounded.
According to available information, this was one of the most tragic attacks in recent months. Ukrainian authorities said the missiles hit residential areas, including schools and hospitals. Rescue workers continue to clear debris and search for survivors, with Kiev calling the attack a "war crime" and calling for a stronger response from the international community. The European Union plans to discuss not only other forms of humanitarian aid at the meeting, but also a further extension of sanctions against the Russian Federation. Diplomatic sources say the main topic will also be the possibility of resuming ceasefire talks.
Several weeks ago, Kiev accepted the US proposal for a ceasefire to create conditions for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. However, the Russian Federation has so far refused to support this proposal as unacceptable because it contains no guarantees and instead has made new demands, including territorial guarantees and restrictions on Western military support for Ukraine.
"We are ready to negotiate, but not at any price," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. Western diplomats accuse Moscow of trying to prolong the war and deplete Ukraine's defence forces. The talks in Luxembourg may indicate how united the EU is going forward and how hard it will be willing to push Russia to end the conflict. The outcome of the meeting will also be crucial for the upcoming NATO and G7 summits, where Ukraine will once again be a central issue.
gnews.cz - GH
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