English Section

Russia’s so-called ceasefire fails as Ukrainian cities face wave of terror, EU envoy warns

02.02.2026 15:30
Katarina Mathernova, the European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine, has said that Russian attacks continue across the country despite Moscow’s alleged agreement to halt strikes on Ukrainian cities.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, at a press conference during the handover of 76 emergency generators from EU strategic reserves, delivered as part of the first batch to Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 27, 2026.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, at a press conference during the handover of 76 emergency generators from EU strategic reserves, delivered as part of the first batch to Kyiv, Ukraine, on January 27, 2026. Photo: Yevhen Kotenko/Avalon/PAP

According to Ukrainska Pravda, a major Ukrainian news outlet, Mathernova described the situation as a “one-week ceasefire” in name only, citing explosions, civilian casualties, and the destruction of energy and transport infrastructure.

The diplomat also highlighted that many buildings in Ukraine remain without heating due to the ongoing Russian strikes.

“The democratic world must not look away,” she added.

Her remarks came days after US President Donald Trump announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him that Russia would refrain from attacking Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, without specifying for how long. The Kremlin later clarified that the pause would last until 1 February.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, said there was no direct agreement with Moscow to halt attacks on the country’s energy sector, although discussions had taken place during trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on 23–24 January.

“We have observed a shift in the Russian army’s priorities towards attacks on logistics,” Zelensky said on Friday.

Over the weekend, a series of Russian strikes included drone attacks on a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia, injuring six people.

In a separate attack, a bus carrying miners in the Dnipropetrovsk region was struck, leaving at least 16 dead.

Mathernova described such attacks as acts of terrorism.


(mp)

Source: PAP/Ukrainska Pravda/X/@kmathernova