The EU condemned the attack on Ukraine's Sumy city: 'Russia was aggressive and continues to be aggressive.'

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The EU condemned the attack on Ukraine's Sumy city: 'Russia was aggressive and continues to be aggressive.'

European leaders quickly condemned the attack in Sumy on Sunday that killed more than 30 people, sharing messages of condolence on social media.

European leaders condemned the recent deadly attack carried out by Russia in the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as "barbaric" in a post on X, stating, "Russian tyranny has struck again." According to officials, more than 30 people were killed in the missile strike that occurred while Ukrainians were gathering to celebrate Palm Market. Images from the scene showed black body bags lined up along the roadside and more lifeless bodies wrapped in foil blankets among the debris. The footage also revealed the struggles of firefighters trying to extinguish burning vehicles among the rubble of damaged buildings. According to Ukraine's State Emergency Service, 99 people, including 11 children, were also injured in the attack. Von der Leyen stated, "Russia has clearly violated international law and continues to be the aggressor." The attack in Sumy was the second large-scale assault in a week that resulted in the deaths of so many civilians. On April 4, a deadly missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, killed about 20 people, including nine children. Retired General Keith Kellogg, Trump's special representative for Ukraine and Russia, said the Sumy attack "crossed every line of decency" and expressed that the White House was determined to end the conflict. "There are many civilian dead and injured. As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong. That’s why President Trump is working hard to end this war," he said. Zelensky called for a global response to the attack. "Negotiations have never stopped ballistic missiles and air bombs. What is needed is an attitude that a terrorist deserves against Russia," he said. EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas also condemned the attack on social media, stating it was a "terrible example" of Russia intensifying its attacks while Ukraine accepted an unconditional ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the attack undermined peace talks being led by Washington between the two sides. "Everyone knows: this war was started by Russia. And today, it is clear that Russia has chosen to continue this war alone, openly disregarding human life, international law, and President Trump's diplomatic efforts." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed that he was "appalled by Russia's horrific attacks on civilians." These missile strikes, carried out a day after high-level diplomats from Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a temporary agreement reached under US mediation to stop attacks on energy infrastructure, highlighted the difficulties in negotiations aimed at ending the three-year-long war. Russian forces maintain superiority in Ukraine, and Kyiv has warned that Moscow is planning a new spring offensive to increase pressure on its enemy and improve its negotiating position. Ukraine approved a broader ceasefire proposal from the US, but Russia effectively undermined these efforts by imposing broad conditions. European governments accused Russian President Putin of "dragging his feet."