EU responds to Kremlin's call to evacuate diplomats from Kyiv on Russia's Victory Day

Tetyana Vysotska, VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - 7 May, 14:24

Anouar El Anouni. Screenshot

The European Union is set to maintain its position and presence in the Ukrainian capital despite Russia's public threats of attack on Kyiv.

Source: Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the European Commission, speaking on 7 May, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent in Brussels

Details: The EU will not evacuate diplomats from Kyiv despite threats from Moscow.

Quote: "Let me here reiterate our position on the matter. Russia's public threats to attack Kyiv are part of its reckless escalatory tactics… As to us, the EU, we will not change our posture or presence in Kyiv."

More details: El Anouni said "Russia, once again, outrageously tries to put blame on Ukraine for its own war of aggression, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine".

Quote: "Russia's attacks are, and this, unfortunately, a daily reality in Kyiv and elsewhere in Ukraine… Over the past years, Russia has already caused damage to several diplomatic missions in Kyiv, including the EU delegation, with its reckless attacks. Russia attacks Kyiv and other cities all over Ukraine, and this on a daily basis, killing innocent citizens and targeting infrastructure."

More details: El Anouni stated, "in spite of Ukraine's longstanding attempts to call for a ceasefire and for peace, including President Zelenskyy's recent proposal, Russia has never, never shown any serious intention to stop the war and instead continues escalating and killing."

Background:

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has urged diplomats to evacuate from Kyiv ahead of a Russian "retaliatory strike on decision-making centres" if "the Kyiv regime carries out its criminal terrorist intentions during the days marking the Great Victory". [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]
It was reported earlier that in response to Russia's unilateral declaration of a truce for 8-9 May, Ukraine called for an immediate ceasefire starting from 00:00 on the night of 5-6 May. This call was also supported by Ukraine's Western partners, including Germany and Norway.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on the morning of 6 May that Russia had resumed airstrikes from the very first hours of the day.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Russia's rejection of Ukraine's proposed ceasefire has confirmed Moscow's lack of interest in real peace.
On 9 May, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is expected to visit Moscow and meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, although he said he will not attend the Victory Day military parade.

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