The West reacted to the strike on Sumy

The Ukrainian president sharply condemned the strike on Sumy and called on the international community to step up sanctions and political pressure on Russia, emphasising: "Peace is impossible without deterring the aggressor".

The US president's special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg , described the missile strike by Russian troops on civilian infrastructure in Sumy as unacceptable and beyond the bounds of what is acceptable.

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova was one of the first European representatives to react to the shelling of Sumy. In her Facebook post, the diplomat called for increased pressure on Moscow.

This is a terrible tragedy. The attack on believers on Palm Sunday is a war crime. Nothing seems to be sacred to Russians - not churches, not children. Europe will continue to increase pressure on Russia and support Ukraine. It is time for the world to wake up. My sincere condolences to all the affected families," Maternova said.

EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas expressed her support for Ukraine on Twitter, saying, "Terrible events happened in Sumy this morning as residents gathered for Palm Sunday and were met by Russian missiles."

This is a horrific example of Russia stepping up its attacks despite Ukraine accepting an unconditional ceasefire. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people," Callas added.

European Council President António Costa also expressed outrage over the Russian attack on Sumy, saying, "Russia continues its campaign of violence, showing once again that this war exists only because of the decision of the Russian authorities."

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke out about the Russian attack on Ukraine on his Twitter, publishing a post in Ukrainian.

He expressed his support for the Ukrainian people and emphasised that decisive measures must be taken to force Russia to stop its aggression.

Everyone knows that it was Russia that initiated this war. Today it is obvious that only Russia decides to continue it, despite the human casualties, international law and the ceasefire proposals put forward by President Trump," Macron said.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called the Russian attack on Sumy a new act of brutal war crime.

This is a direct insult to all who seek peace. The civilised world is obliged to take decisive measures to stop these barbarians who spare neither civilians nor children," Nauseda wrote on Twitter.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, commenting on the shelling of Sumy, said that Russia is led by murderers.

Russia does not want to change, Russia does not seek peace. It is led by murderers who prove every day that they do not seek peace. The Czech Republic remains with Ukraine," the minister said.

Tragic news from Sumy, Ukraine, where Russian missiles killed dozens of people, including children on their way to church on Palm Sunday. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. For over a month now, the world has been hoping that Russia would agree to a ceasefire, but instead it continues to attack civilians," Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtone wrote on social media .

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the tragedy in Sumy.

There are no words to describe the cruelty and atrocities of Russia. Our hearts are with Ukraine," the Estonian foreign minister said.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu, condemning the Russian attack, called on international partners to strengthen Ukraine's air defence system.

Palm Sunday is a day of peace. This morning, as people gathered for prayer, Russia attacked Sumy, claiming the lives of civilians. Moldova mourns with Ukraine and calls for strengthening air defence systems to save lives," Sandu said.

NATO spokesperson Elisson Hart expressed condolences to Ukrainians after the Russian missile attack.

These are horrific images from the centre of Sumy, where Russian ballistic missiles have claimed dozens of lives and severely injured many civilians. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine on this holy day for many," she said.

We would like to point out that at the moment more than 30 people are known to have died, among them two children. Almost 100 people were injured. In Sumy, mourning will last for three consecutive days because of the Russian attack: it was declared on 14, 15 and 16 April.

Mourning has also been declared in Kryvyi Rih, which is still recovering from an equally brutal terrorist attack carried out by Russian troops. A corresponding decision was also made in Lviv. Kiev Region and Kharkiv have also decided to honour the memory of the victims of the Russian strike.