EU High Representative Kaja Kallas led a delegation of EU foreign ministers to Kyiv to mark the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre and to reaffirm European support for Ukraine. Ukrainian officials used the visit to press for accountability, saying eight countries have so far expressed readiness to join an enlarged agreement to create a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. The trip comes amid internal EU tensions, notably Hungary's blockage of a €90 billion loan over a dispute tied to the Druzhba oil pipeline.
EU Top Diplomats Visit Kyiv to Mark Bucha Anniversary and Push for War-Crimes Tribunal
Bucha Mayor Anatolii Fedoruk brings a candle to pay tribute at the memorial installation for the victims of attacks and executions by Russian troops, marking the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
KYIV, March 31 (Reuters) — European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas, accompanied by about a dozen EU foreign ministers and senior officials, arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre and to underscore continued European support for Ukraine amid tensions over EU aid.
Candles brought by people are placed together to pay tribute at the memorial installation for the victims of attacks and executions by Russian troops, marking the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
Delegation Welcomed in Kyiv
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met Kallas and the visiting delegation at Kyiv's central railway station early on Tuesday. Sybiha said the high-level visit signalled that accountability for alleged Russian atrocities is inevitable and vowed to press for concrete steps toward justice.
People are silhouetted as they visit the memorial installation for the victims of attacks and executions by Russian troops, marking the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
"Today, we commemorate the grim anniversary of the Bucha massacre. Comprehensive accountability for Russian crimes is vital to restore justice in Europe. And today, we will advance accountability efforts," Sybiha wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
EU Support and Political Tensions
In a post on social media, Kallas said the visits are a reminder of "Ukraine's courage and resilience" and reiterated that "Europe stands by your side. We will keep providing military, financial, energy, and humanitarian support." Europe remains Kyiv's principal backer as Ukrainian forces resist a larger and better-equipped Russian military along more than 1,200 kilometres of front lines.
People visit the memorial installation for the victims of attacks and executions by Russian troops, marking the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
However, internal EU disputes are complicating the response. A planned €90 billion EU loan package to support Ukraine has been blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has tied his objections to a disagreement over Russian oil transiting Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary is also slowing progress on Ukraine's accession discussions with the bloc.
People bring candles to pay tribute at the memorial installation for the victims of attacks and executions by Russian troops, marking the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
Pushing for a Special Tribunal
Ukrainian officials said they will use the delegation's visit to press for stronger accountability measures for war crimes. Sybiha said eight countries had confirmed they were ready to join an enlarged partial agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine — a planned ad hoc European international criminal tribunal — and expressed hope that more would follow.
People bring candles to pay tribute at the memorial installation for the victims of attacks and executions by Russian troops, marking the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
Sybiha warned that the scale of the alleged atrocities in Bucha was "unseen on European soil since World War Two" and added: "The ashes of Bucha demand justice to be restored."
Moscow denies that its forces carried out the killings in Bucha and has accused Ukraine of staging the incident. The Kremlin has also indicated it will not recognise any special tribunal and would view states that join it as acting hostilely.
Background: Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary this week of the liberation of Bucha, about 25 km (15 miles) from Kyiv, where the discovery of civilian killings after Russian withdrawal prompted international outrage. Ukrainian officials estimate more than 400 civilians were killed.
($1 = 0.8718 euros)
(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Sharon Singleton)
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