Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a video conference with the national security advisors to the leaders of the G7 countries. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva and Advisor to the Head of the President's Office Dariia Zarivna.
Andriy Yermak informed the participants that a double ballistic missile strike on the city of Sumy had killed 34 people and injured over 100 others. He emphasized that the attack was premeditated, as the missiles were deliberately targeted at the city center on Palm Sunday. On April 4, Russia also launched a ballistic missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, killing 19 people, including 9 children.
“They use terror as a message. It’s clear they want to continue this war. It doesn’t matter what they tell you – they will keep trying to conquer Ukraine. And there will be more attempts at such terrorist attacks. When dealing with Russians, we must remember that they are ruthless. Don’t look for goodwill – you won’t find it,” he stated.
The Head of the Office of the President thanked representatives of each country for the reactions from their leaders to the tragedy in Sumy. All participants condemned the Russian strike and expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.
In light of Russia’s continued missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Andriy Yermak called on G7 nations to increase pressure on the Russian Federation.
“To achieve a true ceasefire and lasting peace, we must compel them – not plead with them. There is only one way: more destructive sanctions against Russia, increased political pressure, greater defense aid to Ukraine, and fast-tracked EU accession. Any other path would allow Russia to simulate a peace process while prolonging the war,” he stressed.
The representatives of the G7 countries agreed on the need to maintain pressure on Russia – including through sanctions – to achieve a full ceasefire and implement key humanitarian measures, such as the release of military and civilian prisoners and the return of illegally deported children.