The cluster bomb attack on Sumy on Sunday is being commented on with stern faces on the way to Monday's EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg.
Barbaric, says Kestutis Budrys from Lithuania.
Frightening, thinks Sweden's Maria Malmer Stenergard (M).
Russia shows zero interest in the peace process – and for civilian lives, says Finnish Elina Valtonen.
No Accident
The attack is followed by renewed calls from several quarters to increase support to Ukraine and to proceed with even more sanctions. At the same time, clear hopes are being expressed that the new US leader will also see what is happening.
I am certain that the USA and the American people are affected by the fact that it was clearly not just an accident, but that Russia deliberately targets civilians, on Palm Sunday when people were going to church, says Valtonen.
I hope that President Trump and the American administration see that Russia's leaders are mocking their goodwill – and I hope that the right decisions will be made, says Poland's Radoslaw Sikorski.
Two Required for Peace
Maria Malmer Stenergard does not want to speculate about what the attack may mean for the talks on a ceasefire.
We'll see. It's obvious that the USA is very impatient. It can lead to something positive, but it's naturally important that it also becomes a just and long-term sustainable peace. And for that to happen, it's again crucial that we now strengthen Ukraine so that they can also say no to bad proposals, says the Foreign Minister.
It takes two for peace, but only one for war, and we see that Russia wants war. All those who want the killing to stop must put maximum pressure on Russia, says EU's Foreign Chief Kaja Kallas.
