Ukraine

The Murder of Parubiy Shakes Ukraine: EU Considers Harsher Sanctions

The killing of former parliament speaker Andriy Parubiy in Lviv sends shockwaves throughout Ukraine—and puts pressure on the EU to consider much tougher sanctions against Russia.

Vadim Chuprina, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Vadim Chuprina, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mikkel Preisler
By Mikkel Preisler 31. August 2025

A Political Assassination Amidst the War

On Saturday evening, Andriy Parubiy, former speaker of the Ukrainian parliament and one of the pivotal figures behind the 2013 Maidan Revolution, was shot and killed in Lviv. Ukrainian authorities have launched a murder investigation, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the incident as a “horrific murder.”

Parubiy, whose legacy was closely tied to advocating for a pro-European Ukraine, was killed as EU foreign ministers were meeting in Copenhagen to discuss new steps against Russia.

EU in Copenhagen: Tougher Measures Incoming

At the meeting, the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that Russia was “not preparing for peace—but for more war.” The ministers discussed both import bans, secondary sanctions targeting third countries, and tougher action against the so-called Russian “shadow fleet”—ships used by Moscow to circumvent oil bans.

The issue of using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction was also raised. According to the EU, the cost of rebuilding has already been estimated at over €506 billion over the next ten years.

Russia Ramps Up Airstrikes

Parubiy’s murder comes after a week marked by intense Russian air attacks. At least 21 people were killed in Kyiv on Thursday, while a nighttime strike on Zaporizhzhia left one dead and 24 wounded. The Dnipropetrovsk region was also hit by “massive attacks.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen concluded at the meeting: “Putin only understands firm pressure.”

Zelenskyy Demands Action

Over the weekend, Zelenskyy called on the EU to respond to both the attacks and Parubiy’s murder with new banking and energy sanctions. “It is time to speak the only language Russia understands,” came the message from Kyiv.

As Europe once again debates its next steps, Ukraine is left mourning a central political figure—his campaign for a free and European Ukraine now cut short by a bullet on the streets of Lviv.

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