Olaf Scholz condemns the Russian attack on Sumi and demands an immediate ceasefire

Berlin, Germany — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has strongly condemned the Russian attack this morning in the Ukrainian city of Sumi, which left at least a dozen civilians dead and numerous others injured, according to local sources.

During a press conference in Berlin, Scholz described the attack as "a new example of the Kremlin's unjustified brutality against the civilian population" and urged Moscow to accept an immediate ceasefire to move toward a diplomatic solution.

“Russia must stop this absurd war. The Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace, not under the constant sound of missiles,” the German prime minister stated.

Scholz joined other European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who also expressed their condemnation of the bombing and reiterated the European Union's support for Ukraine.

“Europe is united in defending the fundamental principles of international law and will not tolerate these attacks,” the chancellor added.

For its part, the Ukrainian government has requested an urgent session of the UN Security Council and the deployment of more military and humanitarian support to the affected areas.

The Sumi offensive follows an escalation of Russian attacks in northeastern Ukraine in recent days, as peace negotiations brokered by Turkey and the United Nations attempt to find a minimum consensus for an end to hostilities.