EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and foreign ministers from across the bloc arrived in Kiev on Tuesday to attend a memorial for the victims of the 2022 Bucha killings.
Russian forces are accused of killing hundreds of civilians in a Kiev suburb at the start of the war in Ukraine as Moscow forces withdrew on March 31.
What do we know about the Bucha Memorial Tour?
A representative of the European Commission said the informal meeting was to remember the “terrible tragedy” that occurred in Bucha.
The top politician attended a memorial service in the small town and then called a ministerial meeting. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful is on the guest list along with his counterparts from countries including Poland, Italy and Sweden.
The talks are expected to focus on continued support for Ukraine in the fight against Russian forces, as Hungary continues to dominate financial aid to Kiev. Wadefull said the purpose of the visit was to send a clear signal: “The Ukrainian people are part of our European family,” the minister said.
Wadefull said the message to Russia is that those responsible for the war and the crimes committed should not be spared. He said the German government would support Ukraine in gathering evidence and documenting Russian crimes.
“As a founding member of the Compensation Commission for Ukraine and in line with our commitment to a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, we are working closely with our partners to enable the legal prosecution of Russian atrocities,” Wadefull stressed.
DW spoke to Callas in Bucha, where he addressed concerns that a war in the Middle East could divert attention and weapons from Ukraine’s efforts. “We can’t let Ukraine off the table. I think that’s extremely important,” he said.
The bloc’s foreign policy chief also criticized Budapest’s blocking of loan funds to Ukraine.
“It’s unfortunate that we have this obstacle in our way. Our leaders reached an agreement in December to extend this loan to Ukraine.”
“They desperately need this funding and we need to stick to our promises.”
What happened in Bucha?
In the early days of the war Russian troops captured Bucha, about 25 kilometers northwest of the Ukrainian capital.
After Ukrainian troops managed to recapture it in late March, bodies of killed civilians were found lying in the streets, some with their hands tied. A UN report has confirmed the deaths of dozens of civilians.
This atrocity quickly became a symbol of Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian figures more than 400 civilians were killed in Bucha, while more than 1,300 civilians were killed in the Russian military withdrawal from the wider Kyiv area at the time. These included more than 700 people who were shot dead.
The murder case came to light two days later. Moscow continues to deny responsibility for the atrocities and claims without evidence that they were committed.
Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher