Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron called for "strong action" if Russia continues "to refuse peace," following a Russian ballistic missile attack that killed nine children in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown.
Despite efforts by the U.S. and Europe to secure peace in Ukraine, Russia persists in "murdering children and civilians," Macron stated.
"My thoughts are with the children and all civilian victims of the bloody attacks carried out by Russia, including on April 4 in Kryvyi Rig," Macron wrote on X in French and Ukrainian.
"A ceasefire is needed as soon as possible. And strong action if Russia continues to try to buy time and refuse peace."
On Friday, a missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rig killed 20 people, including nine children. The youngest victim was a three-year-old boy. The missile hit a residential area near a children’s playground.
Macron noted that while Ukraine has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a complete ceasefire and European countries are working toward peace, "Russia is continuing the war with renewed intensity, with no regard for civilians."
Zelensky reported on Sunday that Moscow has escalated its aerial bombardment after launching a "massive" missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, resulting in two deaths.
"The pressure on Russia is still insufficient," he added.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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