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French FM Condemns Russian Strike on Kyiv, Urges Kremlin to Focus on Peace in Ukraine
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to focus on ending the war in Ukraine before attempting to position Russia as a peacemaker in the Middle East.
The statement, published on X on June 17, came in response to a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv, which resulted in civilian casualties.
“A deadly attack in Ukraine by Putin’s regime, whose cruelty and cynicism know no bounds,” Barrot wrote. “To the Kremlin, which seeks peace in the Middle East: start with Ukraine.”
The French minister also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed France’s support for its diplomatic personnel in Kyiv.
Previously, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has condemned Russia’s large-scale attack on June 17, emphasizing that the timing of the strike—coinciding with the Group of Seven summit—was a calculated move by Moscow.
“Putin does this on purpose, right during the G7 summit. He sends a signal of total disrespect to the United States and other partners who have called for an end to the killing,” Sybiha wrote on X.
He added that despite international appeals for a ceasefire, Moscow continues to reject diplomacy and intensify attacks on Kyiv.
Earlier, a massive overnight missile and drone strike on Kyiv killed at least 15 people, including 62-year-old US citizen Grendy Frederick Glenn, and left more than 139 others injured.
