Kenneth Glad
The European Union said it would maintain its diplomatic presence in Kyiv after Moscow warned foreign diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital ahead of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day commemorations. The statement underscored Brussels’ refusal to treat Russian threats as grounds for reducing its presence in Ukraine.
The European Commission’s spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said on May 7 that the EU would not alter its work in Kyiv.
He described Russia’s warning as an escalation tactic rather than a legitimate security message, reports Ukrainska Pravda.
“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.”
Russian warning
The statement followed remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who urged diplomats to leave Kyiv before a possible Russian “retaliatory strike on decision-making centres.”
Zakharova tied the warning to the days around Victory Day, Russia’s annual May 9 commemoration of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
El Anouni said Russia was again attempting to blame Ukraine for a war Moscow itself started.
He also noted that Russian strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities have repeatedly endangered civilians, infrastructure and diplomatic sites, including the EU delegation.
Ceasefire dispute
The warning came amid competing claims over a pause in fighting.
Ukrainska Pravda wrote that Russia had announced a unilateral truce for May 8–9, while Ukraine called for an immediate ceasefire starting overnight on May 5–6.
Ukraine’s proposal was supported by partners including Germany and Norway. But Ukraine’s Air Force said Russian air attacks resumed in the first hours of May 6.
The exchange highlighted the divide between Moscow’s limited ceasefire messaging and Kyiv’s demand for a broader halt to attacks.
According to the independent Ukranian outlet, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Russia’s rejection of Ukraine’s proposal showed Moscow was not interested in real peace.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, was expected to visit Moscow on May 9 to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin, though he said he would not attend the Victory Day military parade.
Sources: Ukrainska Pravda
