A stern warning to Donald Trump for the immediate evacuation of American citizens and diplomats from Kyiv was issued by Vladimir Putin, ahead of planned “systematic and continuous attacks” by Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called his American counterpart Marco Rubio to deliver the warning, with Rubio stating he briefed Trump as requested. The top American diplomat noted, meanwhile, during his visit to Armenia, that no negotiations are underway with Ukraine, but the US remains ready to play a “catalytic and supportive role” if the opportunity arises.
Putin warns Trump: Attacks will “target decision-making centers and administrative positions”
The Kremlin warned yesterday that attacks would “target decision-making centers and administrative positions.” Meanwhile, foreign nationals, including employees of diplomatic missions and international organizations, were called to “leave the city immediately.” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on Kyiv’s allies not to give in to “Russian blackmail.”
Russian attacks on Kyiv areas over the weekend caused four deaths and approximately 100 injuries, with Moscow claiming these were retaliation for the “deliberate” Ukrainian attack on a student dormitory in Russian-occupied Staromilsk, where 21 people allegedly died. The Ukrainian military announced, for its part, that it struck a drone unit and not civilians.
Meanwhile, clashes continued in eastern Ukraine, with attacks in Derhachi and Kramatorsk, causing deaths and injuries. President Zelensky admitted that talks with the US on expanding anti-ballistic system production have not progressed and is now turning to Europe for defense reinforcement.
EU summons Russian diplomat in Brussels for explanations
On Tuesday, the European Union summoned the top Russian diplomat in Brussels for explanations, following Moscow’s warning to European diplomats to leave Kyiv or risk being caught in bombing campaigns.
EU spokesperson Anita Hipper stated via X that the threat to foreign nationals and diplomats constitutes an “unacceptable escalation,” adding that she summoned the head of the Russian mission to the EU, Karen Malayan, demanding the Kremlin “stop attacks against civilians” and engage in “genuine peace talks with full and unconditional ceasefire.”
Hipper accused Russia of trying to “spread panic,” emphasizing that the EU “will maintain its presence and operations in Kyiv,” while the threats “appear desperate.”
“EU not leaving – We stay in Kyiv”
Diplomats from European countries refused to comply with Moscow’s call to abandon the city. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova declared: “The EU is not leaving. We stay in Kyiv.” Similarly, a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized it is “unthinkable to evacuate our staff.” Poland’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Russian threats, warning that any attack on the embassy would be treated as a “hostile act.”
A senior German Foreign Ministry official told Politico that Russia’s threat to foreign nationals “shows it remains committed to escalation,” while the security situation in Kyiv is “continuously assessed.”
