Brussels / Copenhagen, August 29, 2025 — In the wake of a devastating Russian missile attack that claimed the lives of 23 people and severely damaged an EU diplomatic compound in Kyiv, European defense leaders have intensified their call for a tougher stance against Moscow.
Meeting in Copenhagen, officials condemned the attack as a brazen assault on civilian infrastructure and international diplomacy. They urged swift action—ranging from intensified sanctions to the seizure of frozen Russian assets—to increase pressure on the Kremlin and bolster Ukraine’s defense capacity. One senior EU official highlighted that releasing just a portion of the more than €200 billion in frozen Russian assets “could significantly enhance Ukrainian defense production and strengthen arms procurement” from allies.
Amid stalled peace efforts, NATO and EU defense ministers are also exploring broader strategies to deter further aggression, including expanded military aid, enhanced air defenses, and the concept of a post-ceasefire EU deployment to reassure Ukraine’s security. Such proposals, though still under discussion, signal a growing urgency among Western powers to back Ukraine strategically and politically while avoiding complacency in the absence of meaningful diplomacy.
Parallel to these efforts, the U.N. Security Council convened an emergency session to address the escalating violence. Ukrainian envoys prepared to engage directly with U.S. officials, underscoring the need for sustained transatlantic support.
The solidarity displayed by European defense leaders underlines a pivotal moment: with civilian lives threatened and diplomatic norms under siege, Europe appears ready to escalate both political and military assistance—and to defend the principles of sovereignty, stability, and a rules-based global order.
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