Lithuania hands Russia note of protest over threats against diplomatic missions in Kyiv

Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative of the Russian embassy on 8 May to hand over a note of protest in response to a Russian warning advising the evacuation of diplomatic staff and citizens from Kyiv.

Source: Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In the note, the ministry stressed that such statements by Russia constitute a direct threat to the use of force against foreign embassies in Kyiv and its residents.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated that Russia's aggression against Ukraine, as well as such statements by Russia, have clearly violated the prohibition on the threat of the use of force enshrined in Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations and other universally recognised principles of international law established in the UN Charter.

The ministry also said that through such statements, Russia effectively acknowledges that its armed forces intend to continue serious violations of international law in Ukraine.

The note further stressed that Lithuania categorically rejects Russia's threats and insists on the immediate and unconditional cessation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The ministry added that Lithuania's embassy in Kyiv continues to operate, and its staff are following standard security requirements.

Background:

• Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia urged diplomats to evacuate from Kyiv ahead of what it described as a Russian retaliatory strike on decision-making centres.
• In response to the Russian ministry's remarks, the European Commission said that the European Union would not change its position or presence in the Ukrainian capital.
• It was also reported that Germany does not intend to evacuate its diplomats from Kyiv despite Russian threats to launch yet another attack on the Ukrainian capital.

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