UN chief and European leaders condemn Russian strikes on Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin rejected the attacks “in the strongest terms.” He added that the strike on the European Union’s delegation building in Kyiv “shows the scrupulousness of the Russian regime.”

Russland hat in der Nacht wieder sein wahres Gesicht gezeigt. Wir verurteilen die schweren Angriffe gegen die Zivilbevölkerung auf das Schärfste. Dass nun auch die EU-Vertretung ins Fadenkreuz geraten ist, zeugt von der wachsenden Skrupellosigkeit des russischen Regimes.

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) August 28, 2025

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday he had spoken with EU leaders after a Russian strike damaged a building housing the bloc’s delegation in Kyiv.

“I was in contact this morning with Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen about Russia’s attack on a building housing the EU delegation in Kyiv,” Rutte told reporters at a meeting of German government parties in Würzburg.

Rutte said the incident showed that Russia remained a threat. “This again proves that we cannot be naive about Russia,” he said.

He added that Russian attacks had again hit civilian infrastructure and damaged the EU mission.

A police officer passes by the British Council building after it was hit during Russian missile and drone attacks in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 (AP Photo)

Britain also said it would summon Russia’s ambassador in London after the British Council building in Kyiv was damaged. Foreign Secretary David Lammy wrote on X: “Putin’s strikes last night killed civilians, destroyed homes and damaged buildings, including the British Council and EU Delegation in Kyiv. We have summoned the Russian Ambassador. The killing and destruction must stop.”

Putin’s strikes last night killed civilians, destroyed homes and damaged buildings, including the British Council and EU Delegation in Kyiv.

We have summoned the Russian Ambassador. The killing and destruction must stop.

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 28, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said two missiles struck close to the EU site in Kyiv within seconds, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would summon Russia’s ambassador. “No diplomatic mission should ever be a target,” she said.

The attacks killed at least 15 people and injured dozens, according to Ukrainian officials.