EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and a group of European foreign ministers travelled to Kyiv on Tuesday to attend a memorial marking four years since the killings in Bucha in 2022. The visit brought senior officials together to honor the victims and to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine.
A European Commission spokeswoman said the informal gathering was intended to remember the “horrific tragedy” in Bucha. Delegations took part in a memorial service in the town before holding a ministerial meeting. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul joined counterparts from countries including Poland, Italy and Sweden.
Talks were expected to focus on sustaining political, military and financial backing for Ukraine, amid continuing disputes within the EU over aid. Hungary continues to block disbursement of a loan package to Kyiv, a point of contention for many member states.
Wadephul said the visit aimed to deliver a clear message: “The Ukrainian people are part of our European family.” He stressed that those responsible for the war and the crimes committed must not go unpunished and said Germany would help Ukraine document and collect evidence of alleged Russian crimes.
“As a founding member of the compensation commission for Ukraine and with our commitment to a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, we are working together with our partners to enable the legal prosecution of Russian atrocities,” Wadephul added.
DW spoke with Kallas in Bucha, where she warned that the conflict in the Middle East could divert attention and resources away from Ukraine. “We can’t let Ukraine slip off the table. I think this is extremely important,” she said. Kallas also criticized Budapest’s blockage of the loan funds, calling it “unfortunate” and stressing that Ukraine needs the promised funding.
What happened in Bucha
Russian forces occupied Bucha, roughly 25 kilometres northwest of Kyiv, early in the 2022 invasion. Ukrainian forces retook the town in late March, after which the bodies of civilians were discovered in streets, some reportedly with their hands tied. A UN report confirmed the deaths of dozens of civilians.
The killings in Bucha quickly became emblematic of alleged Russian war crimes. Ukrainian authorities have recorded more than 400 civilian deaths in Bucha and more than 1,300 fatalities across the wider Kyiv region during the Russian retreat, including over 700 people reported shot dead. Moscow denies responsibility, claiming without evidence that the scenes were staged.