Russian consulate in France comes under attack on Ukraine war anniversary

The Russian consulate in France has come under bombing attack on the anniversary of the Ukraine war.

Three improvised explosive devices were thrown at the Russian consulate in the southern French port city of Marseilles on Monday.

A police source said no one was injured after two of the three explosive devices detonated in the attack, which marks the third anniversary of Russian troops beginning a special military operation in eastern Ukraine.

"The explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in Marseilles have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack," TASS quoted Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, as saying.

Moscow calls on Paris to take "steps to strengthen the security of Russia's foreign missions," Zakharova said.

"We demand that the host country undertake exhaustive and speedy investigative measures, as well," she added.

France quickly condemned the attack on the Russian consulate.

"France condemns any infringement of the security of diplomatic compounds," a foreign ministry spokesperson said to reporters.

"The inviolability, protection and integrity of diplomatic and consular compounds and their staff are fundamental principles in international law," the spokesperson added.

In the meantime, the European Union (EU) has imposed its 16th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting key sectors of its economy and "military-industrial complex".

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia on third anniversary of Ukraine war

On the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European Union (EU) has imposed new sanctions on Russia.

"For three years, Russia has bombed Ukraine, and attempted to take land that is not theirs to take," said the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

"This new round of sanctions targets the Russian oil fleet but also those who support the operation of its oil tankers, video game controllers used to pilot drones, banks used to circumvent our sanctions, and propaganda outlets used to spout lies," Kallas said.

The EU's fresh anti-Moscow sanctions come as US President Donald Trump is making efforts to seal a peace deal with Russia.

Kallas said the US cannot seal any peace agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Ukraine or Europe being involved.

She also highlighted what she claimed were pro-Russian positions being taken up by the Trump administration including the US’s special resolution for the United Nations General Assembly.

The resolution takes a significantly softened language towards Russia and does not call Russia the original aggressor of the conflict.

Kallas said the US “can discuss whatever [it] wants with Putin. But if it comes to Europe or Ukraine, then Ukraine and Europe also have to agree to this deal.”

Trump has sought to follow through on his campaign promises to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict quickly.

His exclusion of Ukraine and the EU from the talks with Russia alarmed many in Europe who believe that his approach is too conciliatory toward Russia and Putin.

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