Kiev [Ukraine], August 29: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has spoken with the leaders of Ukraine and the United States after a Russian attack on Kiev overnight left at least 15 dead people dead, including four children and some 50 injured.
"Putin must come to the negotiating table," von der Leyen wrote on X on Thursday after consulting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump on the phone.
"We must secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine with firm and credible security guarantees that will turn the country into a steel porcupine. Europe will fully play its part," she added.
The European Union's diplomatic mission in Kiev was also damaged in the attack. No staff members were harmed.
Reacting to the strikes, von der Leyen announced new punitive measures on Russia.
"We will come forward soon with our 19th package of hard-biting sanctions," she told journalists in Brussels.
"In parallel, we are advancing the work on the Russian frozen assets to contribute to Ukraine's defence and reconstruction," she said.
Source: Qatar Tribune
