Russian airstrike in Donetsk kills 24 Ukrainian pensioners

Russia did not immediately comment on Zelensky's statements. Moscow has denied targeting civilians, but tens of thousands have died since its large-scale invasion in February 2022.

Last week, a Russian airstrike near the city of Černihiv in northern Ukraine killed two people during a Danish-sponsored humanitarian demining mission.

"Is this what Russia means when it talks about peace? When will it stop killing?" wrote European Council President Antonio Costa on X.

Ukraine struggles with the risk of facing a shortage of air defence equipment after the Pentagon revised its military aid programme, leading to a slowdown in deliveries at a time when Russia is stepping up air strikes. The Financial Times writes. After several months of irregular US deliveries, officials and analysts warn that if Moscow intensifies or simply maintains a higher pace of attacks, Ukrainian air defence units will face shortfalls. "It is only a matter of time before the ammunition runs out," they state.

"The only option we have is to put more pressure on Russia, provide more support to Ukraine and prepare for the next day. More pressure on Russia means more sanctions and continued work to deal with circumvention, including the dismantling of the shadow fleet and sanctions," regarding sanctions "we are also coordinating with our partners, because the impact of internationally coordinated sanctions is much stronger than when the EU acts alone. Our message to Russia is simple: the war cannot be won. Leave the battlefield and sit down at the table with Ukraine. When that happens, Russia must not be allowed to hang up'. So says the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas during the debate on EU action to ensure security and a just peace in Ukraine, at the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Meanwhile, despite the ongoing war, the process of Ukraine's accession to Europe is progressing. "Ukraine has fulfilled the conditions to open the first cluster" of EU accession negotiations, "while we encourage it to continue working on the implementation of the roadmaps and in particular on the action plan for minorities" an issue weighed down by Hungary's veto. "At this crucial moment, a strong signal of support is more than symbolic. It is strategic and deserved'. The state of the art of the accession process comes fromEuropean Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, speaking in plenary in Strasbourg in a debate on Ukraine. The Slovenian rejected accusations that the EU is stuck in the accession process.

Confirming the optimism of the Enlargement Commissioner, theEuropean Parliament approved with 418 votes in favour, 135 against and 41 abstentions a resolution urging the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, provided that Kiev carries out the reforms undertaken. In the text, MEPs reiterate their support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and state that any peace solution cannot come without respecting the will of the Ukrainian people. The Eurochamber calls on the Ukrainian government to further strengthen the rule of law, justice and the fight against corruption, stressing that these measures are crucial not only for accession, but also for reconstruction and confidence in the economy. Finally, in the document, MEPs express concern about the change of direction of the US under the Trump presidency and call on the EU and its member states to remain strategic allies of Kiev.

Duma Speaker and Vladimir Putin loyalist Viaceslav Volodyn harshly criticised French President Emmanuel Macron: 'France is tired of its President Macron's eight years of shame. He himself is the problem,' said the chairman of the lower branch of the Russian parliament, according to Tass. Volodyn further stated that 'Macron is punishing the most popular politicians by depriving them of their right to vote, but this has not saved him'.