War in Ukraine: Western allies renew support for Kiev after massive Russian attacks

Friday's bombing of Moscow left at least 30 dead and more than 160 injured, according to a preliminary report.

Published on December 29, 2023 8:45 p.m. Updated on December 29, 2023 9:04 p.m

Reading time: 2 minutes

A building in flames after a Russian missile attack in Dnipro, Ukraine, December 29, 2023. (UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP)

The message is unanimous: support Kiev. Several Western countries have united behind Ukraine after massive Russian missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities left at least 30 dead and more than 160 injured, according to a preliminary report on Friday, December 29.

France “strongly condemns” Moscow’s “terrorist strategy” and will “continue to support Ukraine,” the Foreign Ministry said. EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell denounced “cowardly and indiscriminate attacks” and promised that the EU “will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary.”

For his part, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called on Moscow to “immediately put an end to these attacks” and “respect international laws governing conflicts,” recalling that “international humanitarian law prohibits attacks that are targeted targeting civilians is expressly prohibited.” objects as well as indiscriminate attacks, regardless of the circumstances.

“Give Ukraine what it needs”

London, in turn, announced the deployment of around 200 anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, “an irrefutable message that the United Kingdom remains absolutely committed to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian barbarism,” said British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps. Russian President Vladimir Putin is “testing the defense of Ukraine and the resolve of the West,” said the minister, who called on the “free world” to “come together and redouble their efforts to give Ukraine what it needs.” needed to win.”

A message shared by Joe Biden, for whom “we must not abandon Ukraine”. The President of the United States called on Congress to “act without further delay.” “Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will be unable to continue sending urgently needed weapons and air defense systems to Ukraine to protect its people,” the leader warned.

New Western aid pledges to Kiev recently fell to their lowest level since the start of the Russian invasion. Washington released its final tranche of available military aid on December 27 without another vote in Congress, but Republican lawmakers are demanding significant concessions on the country's migration policy before they will accept mobilizing additional funds.