EU FMs urge ‘maximum pressure’ on Russia after deadly strike on Sumy

European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today to discuss stepping up pressure on Russia, following a deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy.

The attack, which occurred on April 13, killed 34 people – including two children – and left more than 100 injured, according to Ukrainian local authorities. The strike hit the city centre, drawing widespread international condemnation.

Ahead of the meeting, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kiastutis Budris described the assault as a “barbaric war crime” and urged the bloc to respond with a fresh round of sanctions targeting the Kremlin’s war machine.

“We need a 17th sanctions package,” Budris told reporters. “It must include measures against Russia’s liquefied natural gas exports, the state nuclear energy firm Rosatom, and the shadow fleet helping Moscow bypass existing restrictions.”

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas echoed the call, saying the bloc must apply “maximum pressure” to force Russia to end its war in Ukraine, now entering its third year.

“The attack on Sumy is yet another reminder of the brutal reality Ukrainians face daily,” Kallas said. “We cannot allow impunity for such crimes.”

The EU has already imposed 16 sanctions packages on Russia since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, targeting sectors ranging from finance to technology and energy. However, calls for tougher enforcement and broader measures continue to grow, particularly among Eastern European member states.