Explaining complex things in simple words: Terrorist attack on Chernihiv, EU summit, American aid package

TERRORIST ATTACK ON CHERNIHIV

On April 17, a Russian missile attack on a residential building, a hospital, and a higher education institution in Chernihiv killed at least 18 civilians and injured 77 others.

• Russian terrorists once again shelled civilian objects of a Ukrainian city. Civilians of Chernihiv found themselves under the rubble of their house.
• The attack on Chernihiv is an unjustified war crime by Russia.
• This is not the first enemy attack on Chernihiv. Two years ago, the city experienced a Russian siege. Chernihiv residents will never forget or forgive the invaders.
• Every act of Moscow's terror proves that Russia is waging a genocidal war against the Ukrainian people, and the enemy's entire propaganda rhetoric is a lie.
• Russian attacks on peaceful cities are an argument why the provision of modern air defence systems to Ukraine must not be delayed. The speed of decision-making is a chance to save the lives of Ukrainian families.

EU SUMMIT

On April 17-18, a meeting of the European Council is held in Brussels, where the issue of assistance to Ukraine is discussed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the participants of the summit by videoconference.

• The European Council strongly condemned Russia's air and missile attacks against Ukraine's civilian population and civilian and critical infrastructure, including the recent intensified shelling of the energy sector.
• The summit stressed the need to urgently ensure the air defence of Ukraine, accelerate, and intensify the delivery of all necessary military assistance, including artillery ammunition and missiles.
• European leaders have pledged to step up the provision of humanitarian aid and civil protection equipment, including generators and power transformers.
• Aid to Ukraine is not a matter of months, it is a matter of days and weeks. Speed is crucial to ensure Ukrainian resilience.
• The summit also considers the issues of combating Russian disinformation campaigns, in particular with the involvement of Eurojust, as well as the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

AMERICAN AID PACKAGE

According to Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the vote for the assistance package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan will be held on April 20.

• We hope that this week, the delayed process of adopting a decision by the U.S. Congress on military assistance to Ukraine will finally be successfully completed.
• The Speaker of the House of Representatives introduced separate bills to support Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as amended. Other parties are ready for such a compromise.
• The Ukrainian package provides for approximately USD 61 bln in allocations for Ukraine and allies and replenishment of the arsenals of the American army, as well as the provision of Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles.
• U.S. President Joe Biden promised to sign the bills immediately after a positive vote in Congress.
• This cannot be delayed any longer. After all, it is about the lives of Ukrainians, national interests, and international prestige of the United States.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security