Global leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney strongly condemned Russia’s latest large-scale attack on Kyiv, underlining that any durable peace in Ukraine would require Russia’s genuine willingness to end the war.
Russia launched around 500 drones and 40 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, in the early hours of Saturday, causing widespread disruption across Kyiv and surrounding regions. At least one person was killed and 27 others injured, while large-scale power outages were reported. Ukrainian authorities said nearly 2,600 residential buildings and more than 300 schools, preschools and social service facilities were damaged in the attack.
Moscow claimed the strikes targeted infrastructure and energy facilities used by Ukraine’s armed forces, as well as military sites.
Speaking after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Macron said the overnight strikes showed that Russia was not interested in ending the conflict. He highlighted what he described as Ukraine’s willingness to work towards a lasting peace in contrast to Russia’s determination to prolong a war it started.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the attack as an act of “barbarism” and said that while Ukraine has conditions for peace, achieving a lasting settlement would require cooperation from Russia. During his meeting with Zelensky, Carney also announced fresh economic assistance worth CAN$2.5 billion to support Ukraine’s reconstruction after nearly four years of war.
European leaders echoed the condemnation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Zelensky continues to have the full backing of European leaders and Canada, while NATO and EU leaders pledged to work closely with the United States to push for a lasting peace. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated support for a just peace that safeguards Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.