EU leaders emphasized the need for unity and increased support for Kyiv following a Russian drone attack on a passenger train at the Ukraine-Poland border. The attack occurred in the Volyn region, nearly two kilometers from the Polish border, while a diplomatic train including Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the UK, and other European diplomats was stopped at that station.
Russia's Attacks and EU Responses
Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, described the attack as an effort by Moscow to intimidate Western countries from supporting Ukraine. He stated, "This attack is clearly aimed at scaring Western countries away from supporting Ukraine and traveling to the country to show solidarity." Borrell also added that the opposite should be done to show that Europe stands with Ukraine.
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Petri Orpo, the Prime Minister of Finland, who was also present at the Arctic Strategy Summit, described the attack as a sign of increased Russian aggression and called for heightened support for Kyiv and tougher penalties against Moscow. He added, "This means we need to help Ukraine more than ever and impose more political actions and sanctions against Russia."
Russia's Challenges and Long-term Goals
Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Foreign Minister, also pointed out that the aim of this attack is to intimidate Europeans and create divisions among them. He stated that Vladimir Putin has increased his pressure on the EU and NATO over the past five years and knows well that our strength lies in our unity.
Some other officials also mentioned that responses to Russian provocations should be measured. Boris Pistorius, the German Foreign Minister, called for caution and said, "Drones approaching trains should be taken seriously, but we should not be led towards escalating tensions."
Meanwhile, Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, expressed concern over this attack, stating that Putin practically sees Ukraine as at war with Europe. He added, "Putin's terror is truly at the doorstep of the EU and NATO."
