EUROPEAN defence ministers today vowed to step up military and political support for Ukraine after a Russian air strike on Kiev damaged a European diplomatic compound.

The attack, which shattered windows and doors at the mission but caused no injuries, came as the death toll from Thursday’s earlier strikes rose to 23.

The EU responded by summoning Russia’s envoy in Brussels, while the UN security council convened an emergency meeting at the request of Ukraine and several European members.

In Copenhagen, defence ministers from the 27-nation bloc discussed tougher sanctions, including seizing frozen Russian assets worth more than €200 billion (£173bn), as well as boosting weapons supplies to Ukraine’s army. 

Lithuania’s Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said hopes for peace were “naive,” accusing President Vladimir Putin of stalling to “buy time to kill more people,” and urged Europe to funnel seized assets into Ukraine’s defence industry. 

Irish Defence Minister Simon Harris also pressed for stronger measures to force Russia to end the war, warning of the “huge impact” on civilians.

The meeting also touched on long-term security guarantees for Kiev, with EU missions potentially training Ukrainian forces once a ceasefire is reached. 

A coalition of 30 nations, including EU members, Japan and Australia, has already pledged to support a postwar security framework. 

While EU leaders hope the US will shoulder the largest burden of support, President Donald Trump has ruled out sending troops.

Two senior Ukrainian envoys were due to meet Trump administration officials today on mediation efforts. 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticised Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the attacks on Kiev and Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s oil industry in recent weeks. 

“Perhaps both sides of this war are not ready to end it themselves,” she said.