Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry told foreign diplomatic missions that the threat level for Kiev is unchanged. It called upon them to reject “Russian blackmail and threats” and stay in town. Yesterday’s English-language release stated:
“According to the Ukrainian side’s assessment, the overall level of security threats posed by Russia to Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities remains the same as in previous years and months. Against this backdrop, the new Russian threats are nothing short of shameless blackmail. Moscow is effectively admitting that its shelling is aimed, among other things, at intimidating the foreign diplomatic corps.” The Foreign Ministry “stands ready to assist in further strengthening the security of foreign diplomatic missions upon their request.”
Kiev’s assurance stands against the physical example that Russian military forces deployed two days ago, yet it is fully in line with what is perceived as their effort to force a full-scale, NATO vs. Russia war. After deliberately bombing a school dormitory, miles from any military target, and killing at least 21 teenage students, why would the death of one or more diplomats not be risked, if it be the occasion of a direct war between NATO and Russia?
The EU ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, posted on Facebook: “russia threatens diplomats and foreigners again, asking us to leave Kyiv. But we are not going anywhere! Today’s statement of the russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a masterpiece of hypocrisy,” as they have no concern for the safety of diplomats. Rather: “Russia wants fear. Panic. Isolation of Ukraine. It will not work. The EU is not going anywhere... Threats against diplomats and international organizations are not a sign of strength. They are a sign of desperation.”
Dmitry Medvedev responded to the EU’s stubbornness when it comes to Russia’s threats to escalate against Kiev. “The EU has said it will maintain its diplomatic presence in Kiev unchanged, despite Russia’s warnings. Well, apparently they’ve got diplomats to spare and need to trim the headcount,” he wrote on X.
