The international community must increase pressure on Russia following its deadly Palm Sunday attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on April 13.
Russia attacked Sumy with ballistic missiles armed with cluster munitions on the morning of Palm Sunday, killing at least 34 and injuring another 117 people. Two children were killed in the attack.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has targeted civilian infrastructure during major religious or national holidays more than 160 times.
Zelensky thanked the "many world leaders, diplomats, (and) ordinary people" who expressed their condolences to Ukraine and "condemned the Russian strike." At the same time, he remarked on the lack of "pressure" on Russia, which has enabled its continued attacks on Ukraine.
"I would like to thank everyone who remembers that wars end when the crimes of war are not forgotten – and when the aggressor is met with enough pressure. And that's exactly what’s missing right now," Zelensky said, adding that the strike on Sumy demonstrates that Russia is deliberately targeting civilians and called for the immediate strengthening of sanctions and increased support for Ukraine.
While many world leaders called for increased sanctions and pressure against Moscow in the wake of the missile strike, American officials omitted such demands from their response, instead highlighting the importance of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace efforts.
The attack hit Sumy amid Washington's ongoing attempts to orchestrate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. While Kyiv agreed to a full 30-day ceasefire a month ago, Moscow has refused and has continued to attack Ukraine.
"This Friday marked exactly one month since Russia spurned the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. They are not afraid," Zelensky said.
"That's why they keep launching ballistic missiles. That's why there are nearly a hundred attack drones every night – most of them Shaheds – targeting ordinary Ukrainian cities. Only pressure – only decisive action – can change this."
The Kyiv Independent news desk
(Updated: )
