The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that despite new threats from the Russian Federation regarding possible attacks on Kyiv, the overall level of security risks for the capital and other cities of the country remains unchanged compared to previous years and months.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on Russian threats
In a statement released late in the evening on May 25, the Ministry emphasized that Ukraine expresses gratitude to foreign diplomatic missions and diplomats who continue to work in difficult wartime conditions and ignore attempts at blackmail and intimidation from the Russian Federation. The agency stressed that Russia has been conducting missile and drone attacks on Kyiv for over four years and three months, which occur almost weekly.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses sincere gratitude to all foreign diplomatic missions, to all foreign diplomats who continue to work in our state during wartime and reject Russian blackmail and threats. For over four years and three months, Russia has been using the full range of deadly missiles and drones against the capital of Ukraine. Attacks have not ceased practically any week,” the statement reads.
The Ministry emphasized that new intimidation from Moscow is a continuation of blackmail, and the recognition by the Russian side of the intention to attack diplomatic missions and civilian objects in Kyiv will serve as important evidence in international court proceedings against the aggressor state. The Ukrainian agency also assured that it is ready to facilitate additional security measures for foreign diplomatic missions if appropriate requests are made.
International reaction to Russian statements
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on international partners and allies not to succumb to pressure from the Kremlin, stating that the best response to its threats is to strengthen sanctions and political pressure on the Russian Federation, as well as to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities, particularly its air defense systems. “Moscow must receive the correct and consolidated signals from the international community: unity, strength, and principledness,” the Ministry emphasized.
On May 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia issued a warning about possible strikes on “decision-making centers and command posts” in Kyiv, urging foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organizations, to leave the city as soon as possible.
Commenting on these statements, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha noted that on the same day, over 70 representatives of foreign diplomatic institutions visited the sites of the massive attack by the Russian Federation on Kyiv, carried out on the night of May 24. Sybiha emphasized that the international community should not succumb to Russian blackmail and will continue its support for Ukraine.
The Head of the EU Delegation in Kyiv, Katarina Maternova, stated that the warning from Russia is aimed at increasing panic and isolating Ukraine; however, the European Union does not plan to leave Kyiv and will continue to stand by the Ukrainians. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also pointed out that Russia has made similar warnings before, and Kyiv has been under constant threat of shelling for several years. He emphasized that the U.S. is ready to actively participate in processes aimed at ending the war.