EU states summon Russian envoys over Kyiv threat

Several European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway, along with the European Union, have summoned Russian envoys. This action follows a warning from Moscow on Monday that foreigners and diplomats should leave Kyiv ahead of anticipated renewed air strikes. An EU spokesperson described Russia's threat as an "unacceptable escalation" and urged Moscow to cease targeting civilians and engage in genuine peace talks with an unconditional ceasefire. Russia stated its intention to launch more strikes on Kyiv after a weekend barrage that killed four people, attributing the decision to alleged Ukrainian attacks on a vocational school in Luhansk.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov contacted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the request of President Vladimir Putin. Lavrov advised Blinken to evacuate US citizens and diplomats from Kyiv, stating that Russia plans to continue heavy strikes on the Ukrainian capital. According to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement, Russia is conducting systematic strikes against facilities in Kyiv and "decision-making centres." The US State Department confirmed the call was initiated by Lavrov and that the two officials discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, bilateral relations, and the situation in Iran.

Russia has threatened further strikes on Kyiv following a significant overnight aerial assault on the Ukrainian capital. This assault, which involved numerous missiles and drones, hit civilian targets including a shopping center, market, and residential buildings, causing destruction and damage. The article also mentions previous Russian strikes on Kyiv that killed 24 people, including children, and a Ukrainian drone attack on the Moscow region that killed three, which Ukraine's president deemed a "justified" response. Russia's warning for foreign nationals to leave Kyiv is presented as a potential tactic of psychological pressure, given Russia's ongoing large-scale strikes on the capital since its invasion.

Several European Union states, including Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, summoned Russian ambassadors to express anger and demand explanations after Moscow warned foreigners to leave Kyiv due to planned "systematic strikes." These EU capitals deemed Russia's announcement unacceptable and a violation of international law, with Belgium's Foreign Minister calling it intimidation rather than diplomacy. This diplomatic spat occurs as Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated he is open to the EU mediating a ceasefire, an idea that faces skepticism from many EU officials who question Moscow's sincerity. The warnings from Russia follow recent missile and drone attacks on Ukraine and a claimed Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian facility.