Europe Responds to Russian Calls to Leave Kyiv

Several European countries and the European Union have summoned Russian diplomats after Moscow announced planned attacks on targets in Kyiv and urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave the Ukrainian capital.

Russia announced the new strikes a day after one of the largest bombardments of Kyiv since the start of the war. The European External Action Service described the Russian statements as an “unacceptable escalation”.

“Russia must stop hitting civilians,” European diplomatic spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said, adding that the EU delegation remains in Kyiv.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide summoned Russian Ambassador Nikolai Korchunov over what he described as “explicit threats against foreign personnel in Ukraine”.

Sweden also summoned the Russian ambassador over Moscow’s alleged false claims of airspace violations in the Baltic region and threats against Latvia and other countries.

(reuters, bak)