Ukraine Urges EU to Broker Mutual Airport Strike Halt

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked EU foreign ministers in Brussels to help negotiate a mutual halt to attacks on civilian and commercial airports between Kyiv and Moscow. He proposed a narrow, negotiable agreement focused only on airports.

The proposal would bar strikes on airports used for passenger or cargo flights while leaving other military operations outside the agreement. Sybiha presented it as a concrete, short-term measure that European governments could pursue now.

Ukraine has carried out long-range drone strikes on Russian airports, including Sheremetyevo and Pulkovo. Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian airports, damaging runways and terminals and disrupting passenger services and cargo movements inside Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials view the pact as a way to restore internal and international air services and to ease movement of aid and goods. They described it as Kyiv giving up a capability it currently uses in exchange for relief from attacks on its airport network.

U.S.-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv have been stalled since May 2026. The European Council president has indicated interest in holding separate talks with Moscow, and Sybiha offered the proposal as a channel for the EU to take a more active diplomatic role while transatlantic negotiations remain frozen.

European diplomats were shown a narrowly drawn option that spokespeople described as easier to monitor and verify than broader ceasefires. Backers contend that focusing on a single type of infrastructure could simplify verification and confidence-building measures.

No public response from Moscow was reported at the Brussels meeting. If both sides agree, the proposal would put the EU in the role of broker for a limited military restraint and could open a route to further discussions.