Kyiv Grieves as Military Support Discussions Heat Up Among Allies

Sat Sep 13 2025 13:33:08 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the aftermath of a devastating aerial attack by Russia, which left 23 civilians dead in Kyiv, international leaders are convening to bolster military support for Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions.

Kyiv is in a state of mourning after the second largest Russian airstrike of the ongoing conflict resulted in the deaths of 23 individuals, including four children. As recovery efforts intensify, discussions among EU defense ministers are taking place to address military support for Ukraine. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from global leaders.

A day of mourning is being observed in Kyiv after the second biggest Russian aerial attack of the war so far killed at least 23 people, including four children, and injured dozens of others.

The city's mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, stated that this period of reflection is to honor the deceased as substantial recovery efforts continue at the five-storey block of flats where 22 of the victims lost their lives.

The attack has sparked outrage globally — the White House reported that President Donald Trump expressed his displeasure, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia's actions, declaring it would 'stop at nothing to terrorize Ukraine.'

Amidst this crisis, EU defense ministers are gathering in Copenhagen, Denmark, to deliberate on enhancing military support for Ukraine.

The drone and missile strikes also inflicted damage on the EU's diplomatic mission and the British Council building located in central Kyiv.

During discussions, Lithuania's Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin is 'cheaply buying time to kill more people,' reflecting the sentiment that any hopes for peace negotiations appear naive given the ongoing violence.

Estonia's Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur suggested that Ukraine's best security guarantee would be its inclusion in NATO.

Following the attacks, the Swedish government summoned its Russian ambassador, denouncing the continued onslaught against Ukrainian cities and civilians, mirroring a similar diplomatic action by the UK.

As night fell, reports indicated reduced fighting, although both Russia and Ukraine claimed to have shot down numerous drones.

In comments regarding the conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Moscow for opting for 'ballistics instead of the negotiating table,' renewing calls for 'new, tough sanctions' against Russia.

With a meeting between Zelensky and Putin looking increasingly unlikely, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concerns about the current geopolitical tensions.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has voiced opposition to Western military guarantees that could potentially position Ukraine as a 'provocateur' on its border, maintaining a long-standing stance against any Western military footprint in a post-war Ukraine.