UKR Embassy in GRC

Russia killed at least 6 people and injured two dozen more in another deliberate strike on civilian infrastructure in Merefa, Kharkiv region. A cold-blooded terrorist attack on civilians with zero military justification — there are no military objects in the vicinity of the attack. This is a calculated policy of terror by Russia against the people of Ukraine. Moscow is waging a campaign of murder, destruction, and intimidation, with full awareness of the crimes it is doing. Each such strike is a direct consequence of insufficient pressure on the aggressor. Delays and hesitation only embolden the Kremlin to kill more civilians. This has to end. Ukraine urgently needs strengthened air defense capabilities, defense industry investment, and decisive action to cut off Russia’s economic ability to continue this war. Accountability must be inevitable for those who planned, ordered, and executed such attacks. They must be identified and brought to justice. There will be no safe haven, no immunity, no statute of limitations. Russia will be held accountable for every life it has taken.

Russia carried out another terrorist attack on the city of Vilniansk, Zaporizhzhia region. One of the drone strikes hit church premises of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Russia continues its brutal war against believers and faith. At least 2 people were killed and 4 injured – a market was also hit, buildings destroyed, lives shattered. No strike against civilians, no attack on places of worship, no act of terror must be left unpunished.

Russia fired 11 ballistic missiles and 164 drones at Ukraine overnight, killing at least 5 people and injuring a dozen more, targeting mostly energy infrastructure across many regions. Two of the killed were first responders, killed in a vile double-tap strike targeting those who arrived to help people at the scene of the attack. Only a terrorist state like Russia employs inhuman and criminal tactics like these. While the world waits for Moscow to respond to Ukraine’s proposal of a ceasefire starting at midnight between May 5th and 6th, Russia shows its true face as a terrorist. And that is precisely why we need all of our partners, all peace-loving states, and international organizations to support President @ZelenskyyUa’s call for a ceasefire already tonight. We need a consolidated and principled stance from the entire international community for peace and diplomacy, not war and terror.

I believe Europe should be able to produce everything it needs to defend against everything – all the ballistic attacks and all other weapons – on its own. We offer a contribution to Europe’s defense – our Drone Deals. They bring countries together. And we need strong protection across Europe – from drones and all attacks, potential attacks, in the air, at sea, and on land. Drone Deals mean joint work, joint production, shared protection. Let’s move forward on this. From an intervention at the European Political Community Summit (3/3)

This summer will be a moment when Putin decides what to do next: expand the war or move to diplomacy. And we must push him toward diplomacy. Russia has announced a May 9 parade in Moscow without military equipment. If that happens, it will be the first time in many, many years. They cannot afford military equipment – and they fear drones may buzz over Red Square. This is telling. It shows they are not strong now. So we must keep the pressure, by sanctions, on them. Please oppose any ideas to ease sanctions – this is important. And thank you also to those who are fighting against Russia’s shadow oil fleet. From an intervention at the European Political Community Summit (2/3)

Russia launched a missile strike on the town of Merefа in the Kharkiv region, killing at least five people and injuring 18 others. Residential buildings, shops, cars, and a service station were damaged in the attack. Fires broke out at a private house and a civilian vehicle after the strike. At the same time, Russian forces continue attacking civilians in other regions of Ukraine. In the Kherson region, a man was injured after a Russian drone targeted a civilian car in Darivka. In the Zaporizhzhia region, one person was killed in a guided aerial bomb strike on the village of Komyshuvakha. We must keep pressure on Russia to stop its daily terror against civilians across Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine’s initiative Bring Kids Back UA, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, and the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, organised Civil Society and Expert Day on April 30, 2026, in Kyiv — a key preparatory event ahead of the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, to be co-hosted by Ukraine, the European Union, and Canada on May 11, 2026, in Brussels. The event brought together around 200 participants, including civil society organisations, researchers, OSINT experts, international organisations, diplomats, and government representatives. Discussions covered five key thematic areas: — Tracing and location of children; — Return mechanisms; — Reintegration after return; — Documentation and accountability; — Children in the peace process. The study tour and Civil Society and Expert Day form part of the preparation for the upcoming high-level meeting. This meeting will provide a platform for the Coalition to advance efforts to return Ukrainian children and ensure their successful reintegration through comprehensive social services and the Better Care reform. Among the key speakers and participants were senior representatives of the Government of Ukraine and international partners, including: Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Olena Kondratiuk, Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Gediminas Navickas, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine; Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine; Ann-Claire Dufay, UNICEF Representative in Ukraine; Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights; Liudmyla Suhak, Acting Minister of Justice of Ukraine; Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Liudmyla Shemelynets, First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine; Andrii Pasternak, Head of the Joint Centre for the Coordination of Search and Release of POWs and Unlawfully Detained Civilians (SBU); Maksym Maksymov, Head of Bring Kids Back UA. The discussions also featured leading Ukrainian human rights and child-focused organisations, including Save Ukraine, the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, ZMINA, Voices of Children, the Regional Center for Human Rights, Truth Hounds, East SOS, Posmishka UA, the Ukrainian Public Health Foundation, Molfar Intelligence Institute, The Reckoning Project, and international experts. A dedicated session, “Young Voices: The Road Home,” featured young people who have personally experienced deportation or forced transfer. A key outcome of the event is a Joint Civil Society Statement with priority recommendations to the member states of the International Coalition, which will be formally integrated into preparations for the Brussels meeting. This reflects a core principle: no child is returned home without coordinated action between the state, civil society, and international partners. As of April 2026, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has officially confirmed 20,570 cases of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children remain under Russian control — deported, forcibly transferred, or at risk in temporarily occupied territories. At the same time, Ukraine — together with its partners — continues daily efforts to locate, return, and support every child. As of today, 2,126 Ukrainian children have been brought back home within the framework of the President of Ukraine’s initiative Bring Kids Back UA. Russia continues to systematically obstruct these efforts — concealing children’s whereabouts, altering personal data, and denying access to international organisations. There can be no just and lasting peace without the return of Ukrainian children. #BringKidsBack

Yesterday, there was rather unusual activity along sections of the Ukraine–Belarus border – on the Belarusian side. We are closely documenting everything and keeping the situation under control. If necessary, we will react. Ukraine is ready to defend its people and its sovereignty. Everyone who is being drawn into any aggressive actions against Ukraine must understand this.

On World Press Freedom Day, we thank every journalist, photographer, fixer, editor, and media worker who continues to tell the world the truth about Ukraine. Ukrainian and foreign journalists document Russia's war crimes, report from frontline cities, and preserve the stories of people living through this war. Many risk their lives to make sure the truth is seen and heard. Some have paid for it with their freedom or their lives. This year, Ukraine rose seven places in the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, reaching 55th place among 180 countries. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has climbed 50 positions in the ranking. At the same time, Russia continues persecuting journalists for doing their work, with 26 Ukrainian media workers currently held captive. They must be released and returned home. Free journalism is one of the most powerful tools against propaganda, disinformation and attempts to hide the truth. Thank you to everyone who continues to report, document, investigate and speak up.

Journalism shapes peace. Access to reliable, verified information is not optional; it is fundamental to building peaceful, just and resilient societies. When information is manipulated, it fuels division and erodes trust. When it is free and truthful, it strengthens accountability, fosters dialogue and upholds human rights. On #WorldPressFreedomDay, @UNESCO calls for the protection of freedom of expression and support for journalism as a pillar of peace. unesco.org/en/days/press-…

The motorised infantry of the 3rd Army Corps trains during the day to execute precise and well-coordinated actions against Russian forces at night. This is what professionalism and courage look like 🇺🇦

Two people were killed and seven injured after a Russian FPV drone struck a regular city minibus in Kherson, another deliberate Russian attack on civilians in Ukraine’s frontline regions. In Kharkiv, at least six people were injured by Russia's attack. Strikes were also reported against energy infrastructure in Mykolaiv region, while other Russian attacks targeted Dnipro, Odesa, Sumy, and Donetsk regions. Russia is increasingly using mass attacks to overload Ukraine’s air defence systems, making the continued supply of air defence missiles critical. Over the past week alone, Russia launched around 1,600 attack drones, nearly 1,100 guided aerial bombs, and three missiles at Ukraine. This is why sanctions must be strengthened as any easing only refills Russia’s war budget. The loopholes and schemes Russia uses to bypass restrictions must be closed.

Seven people wounded in Kherson after a Russian FPV drone strike on an ordinary city minibus are receiving the necessary medical assistance. Tragically, two people were killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. All those injured in the attack are civilians, and the Russians were fully aware of this. Essentially, such brutal “safaris” against people are a daily reality in our frontline and border communities. In Kharkiv, a drone struck an apartment building. There were also strikes on energy infrastructure in the Mykolaiv region. The Dnipro, Odesa, Sumy, Kherson, and Donetsk regions were also attacked. In total, over this week, Russia has launched around 1,600 attack drones, nearly 1,100 guided aerial bombs, and three missiles against Ukraine. The Russians are trying to overwhelm our air defense with massive attacks, which is why the daily supply of interceptor missiles is critically important. It is equally important that pressure on the aggressor does not weaken, because any easing of existing sanctions only results in Russia’s war chest being replenished, which it then spends on the war. I thank everyone working on new sanctions packages and helping to limit Russia’s sanctions evasion schemes.

Based on the results from April, our long-range sanctions have reached a new level across three components: reducing Russia’s oil revenues, as well as the range and intensity of sanctions. It is important that not only is the target itself reached, as defined by the operational objective, but that the downtime of the target is increased or, at the very least, its operations are significantly reduced. According to the most conservative estimates, since the beginning of the year, the aggressor state has lost at least $7 billion solely as a direct result of our precise sanctions against Russia’s oil industry and refining sector – due to direct hits, downtime, and delays in shipments. I am grateful to all our warriors of the Defense Forces of Ukraine who, together with the Security Service of Ukraine and our intelligence agencies, are delivering these results. We will scale up our long-range systems capabilities. Decisions are being prepared. Glory to Ukraine!

We will continue to seek additional opportunities to strengthen Ukraine’s defense through cooperation with countries we have previously engaged with less. We are bringing Ukraine’s expertise in defense to the global level. Every Ukrainian company, all our manufacturers and developers, and the experience of our military in defense operations – all of this is a major Ukrainian asset.

The Chornobyl New Safe Confinement, finished in 2019 to secure the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, was deliberately struck by a Russian drone in 2025. The confinement was funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and supported by 45 international donor countries. While the world invests in collective safety, Russia continues to endanger it. International pressure on Russia must be strengthened – for the sake of global security. #Chornobyl40

Last night, the Russians once again waged war against ordinary apartment buildings in Odesa – as of now, five people are reported injured and fires have broken out in two buildings. In Kryvyi Rih, one person was also injured as a result of a drone strike. In the Kharkiv region, railway infrastructure was attacked, including traction substations. There was damage and railcars caught fire. Thousands of families were left without electricity due to shelling. Strikes were also carried out against the Sumy region and the Zaporizhzhia region. Russia continues to attack our energy sector, critical infrastructure, and civilian facilities. Over the course of the night, there were 210 strike drones, around 140 of them “shaheds.” Such daily attacks demonstrate the need for increased pressure on Russia. The aggressor must be weakened to ensure greater security for Europe. Sanctions policy must continue, along with the synchronization of all our sanctions with those of our partners. Our long-range sanctions are bringing the Russians back to reality. This is entirely justified and, most importantly, limits the Russian Federation’s ability to prolong this war. If Russia does not want to move to diplomacy voluntarily, it must be forced to do so. And I am grateful to everyone who is helping us achieve this.

Today we celebrate the people who power our economies and societies — and the progress made on workers' rights across the EU: 🔹 Safe & healthy workplaces 🔹 Equal treatment 🔹 Adequate minimum wage 🔹 Work–life balance As work changes, these rights only get stronger.

All children are our children. Today I took part in the Civil Society and Expert Day, a key preparatory event ahead of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children high-level meeting, which will be held in Brussels on May 11, 2026. Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children is not an abstract issue. It is a systematic crime, comparable to the darkest pages of the 20th century. This is happening now, in Europe, and the response must match the scale of the crime. We have already brought home over 2,000 children. But this is only a fraction. The gap between the number abducted and the number returned remains unacceptable. That is why we are scaling efforts, building new mechanisms, and turning political attention into concrete action. Accountability is not optional. Deportation of Ukrainian children has already been recognized as a crime against humanity. Arrest warrants have been issuing. Sanctions have been expanding. Every individual involved, from decision-makers to those executing these crimes, must face consequences. No exceptions. Our goal is clear. Every child must be brought home. Every crime must be prosecuted. There will be no compromises on this. Grateful to the @BringKidsBackUA team and all partners, civil society, and volunteers working every day to return our children. Your work delivers real results and keeps this issue at the top of the international agenda.

Recent developments around the 2026 Venice Biennale, such as the jury’s decision to resign, demonstrate the consequences of decisions taken by leading international art platforms. The aggressor’s culture is not neutral in the times of war and must never be utilised to serve the interests of the aggressor, to whitewash its crimes, and to spread its propaganda. From the very beginning, @la_Biennale’s cowardly choice to admit Russia has been disgraceful. Today, we see how it continues to harm the Venice Biennale. Ukraine is grateful to all those who, guided by moral responsibility and a commitment to democratic values, refuses to accept this disgrace. We renew our call on the Venice Biennale to reverse its decision and keep Russia away. There is still time to return to a principled stance that the international art community has upheld since the beginning of Russia’s brutal full-scale war against Ukraine.