EU responds to Russian threats against European diplomats in Kyiv

European Commission spokesman Christian Wigand has said that, despite Russia's threats of massive attacks against foreign diplomats and embassies remaining in Kyiv, the EU delegation will continue to work in the Ukrainian capital, and that Russia will not intimidate Europe or force it to stop supporting Ukraine.

Source: Ukrinform and Ukrainian public broadcaster hromadske, citing Wigand's comments

Details: Wigand said this was not the first time Russia had resorted to such threats, which he said shows that the Kremlin is losing its war and losing its nerve. The spokesman noted that Moscow is trying to intimidate Europe into scaling back its support for Ukraine, adding that this will not happen, and that the EU will continue to support Ukraine, expose Russia's irresponsible and dangerous actions, and keep increasing pressure on it.

The European Commission spokesman was responding to a statement by Russia's Foreign Ministry on 3 October, in which Russia once again called on foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv and refrain from visiting Ukraine.

Russia said it will continue carrying out massive strikes on Ukrainian cities, including the capital, and claimed that those who ignore the warning will themselves be responsible for any negative consequences and will be "knowingly putting their lives in mortal danger".

Wigand, however, said that the EU's diplomatic mission in Kyiv remains operational.

The spokesman said the EU is currently preparing the largest sanctions package against Russia in its history, and had already introduced new restrictions this week in response to the deportation of Ukrainian children.

He cited EU High Representative Kaja Kallas as saying that Russia is prepared to take greater risks, but noted that the EU is also stepping up its own actions to make Russia pay an even higher price.

Separately, Wigand stressed the increase in volumes of military aid to Kyiv. In particular, the EU has approved plans for defence procurement for Ukraine worth €28.3 billion for this year and is allocating an additional €6.6 billion directly for military aid.

Background:

• Ahead of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, a number of European countries evacuated their embassies from Kyiv to Lviv and Poland.
• On 2 October, The Guardian reported that, amid intensifying Russian attacks, some Western embassies are drawing up contingency plans for evacuation to Lviv or eastern Poland, despite public statements about their intention to remain in the Ukrainian capital.
• Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi later said that foreign partners had not informed Ukraine of any intentions to relocate their diplomatic missions from Kyiv.

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