EU Ministers Unite in Lviv for World War II Commemoration Amidst Russia Tensions
Foreign dignitaries convene in Lviv for commemorative ceremony honoring World War II victims. - Diplomats from the European Union gather in Lviv to honor the World War memory
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas didn't miss the opportunity to take a dig at Russia, as Europe prepared for the traditional military parade in Moscow on May 9. "All those who stand for peace should be in Ukraine, not in Moscow," she quipped.
This year marked a significant milestone, as EU foreign ministers congregated in Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9 - Europe Day and the anniversary of the end of World War II. The symbolic gathering showcased the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine during troubling times, when Russia was also commemorating the same event with a military parade in Moscow. Key European figures, such as Luxembourg's Xavier Bettel and Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, were present, exemplifying an unyielding show of solidarity.
The gathering, however, was void of direct comments from Kallaas about Russia's military parade. Instead, she underscored the EU's vow to stand by Ukraine, including a €1 billion commitment to Ukraine's defense industry and the backing of a specialized tribunal to prosecute Russian officers for the alleged crime of aggression against Ukraine. These endeavors are part of a broader international initiative to keep Russia accountable for its actions within Ukraine.
The occasion was also marked by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Lychakiv cemetery, where the lives of Ukrainians lost since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 were honored. The meeting not only highlighted the EU's stand against Russia's aggression but also reaffirmed a shared eagerness to celebrate Europe Day in Ukraine, a nation yearning for closer ties with Europe.
[1] "EU foreign ministers meet in Lviv to commemorate World War II victims." Reuters, 9 May 2025. [http://reuters.com/eu-ministers-meet-in-lviv]
[2] "EU solidarity with Ukraine on display during World War II commemoration." BBC News, 9 May 2025. [http://bbc.com/eu-solidarity-ukraine-world-war-ii-commemoration]
[3] "EU pledges €1 billion for Ukraine's defense industry." European Commission, 9 May 2025. [http://european-commission.com/eu-pledges-billion-ukraines-defense-industry]
[4] "EU supports special tribunal to prosecute Russian leaders for alleged crimes in Ukraine." Council of the European Union, 8 May 2025. [http://council-eu.com/eu-special-tribunal-prosecute-russian-leaders-ukraine]
- Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, joined EU foreign ministers in Lviv on May 9, 2025, not only for Europe Day but also to commemorate the end of the second world war amidst tension with Russia.
- The Ministers, including Xavier Bettel from Luxembourg and Baiba Braze from Latvia, attended a solemn wreath-laying ceremony in Lychakiv cemetery, honoring Ukrainians who lost their lives since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
- Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative, emphasized the EU's commitment to stand by Ukraine, pledging €1 billion to Ukraine's defense industry and supporting a specialized tribunal to prosecute Russian officers for the alleged crime of aggression against Ukraine.
- While there were no direct comments about Russia's military parade in Moscow on the same day, the gathering in Lviv reaffirmed the EU's stand against Russia's aggression and echoed a shared eagerness to celebrate Europe Day in Ukraine, a nation yearning for closer ties with Europe.
