EU diplomats honor fallen soldiers in Lviv, pledge more Ukraine support

EU foreign ministers and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers during a visit to Lviv on May 9, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on Telegram.

The visit coincided with Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, an annual event the Kremlin uses to showcase military might and justify its war against Ukraine.

Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.

“Today, we celebrate Europe Day with Ukraine and its people. Because in a family, both joys and hardships are shared,” Kallas wrote on X. “Together with foreign ministers, we stand united with Ukraine for a lasting peace."

The diplomats visited the Field of Honorary Graves at Lychakiv Cemetery, where Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine are buried.

“Ukraine and Europe are eternally indebted to those who gave their lives for peace and security on the entire continent,” Shmyhal wrote.

Europe Day, celebrated annually on May 9, marks peace and unity across the continent. This year, it comes as Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“During the meeting, we discussed further joint efforts to strengthen Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia, and promote Ukraine’s accession to the EU,” Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

On May 8, Kallas said that final political approval will be given to initiate an international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine, aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Kremlin officials.

She also said the EU is expected to announce the allocation of 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to bolster Ukraine’s defense industry.

‘The front is noisy’ — for Ukraine’s soldiers, Russia’s Victory Day ‘ceasefire’ is yet another sham

Moscow’s self-declared truce which came into force at midnight on May 8 is not being felt on the front lines, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent, reporting numerous cases of Russian military activity throughout the day. “There is no truce. There is shelling, artillery, drone and FPV (bomb) drops,” Petro Kuzyk, a battalion commander at the National Guard, said. The Kremlin announced the measure on April 28, claiming all military actions would halt on May 8 to midnight on May 11 t

The Kyiv IndependentChris York,