Following the EU and other European countries, Russian ambassadors were summoned in Riga and Vilnius. Thus, the countries protest against the threats of new strikes on Kyiv and calls for diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital.
Latvia and Lithuania, following the European Union and several other EU countries, summoned Russian ambassadors in protest against the latest threats from Russia to deliver new massive strikes on Kyiv and demands for foreigners and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital. "Russia's threats against Kyiv will not intimidate us. We are not leaving Kyiv. It is Russia that must leave. Latvia firmly supports Ukraine," stated the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the evening of Tuesday, May 26.
For its part, Lithuania's foreign ministry indicated that it "strongly rejects Russia's threat to launch a massive strike on Kyiv and its demand for foreigners to leave the city." "A note of protest has been sent to Russia. We will not go anywhere and we support Ukraine. The threat of the use of force is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter," the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X.
Several Countries and the European Union Have Summoned Russian Ambassadors
Earlier, similar measures were announced by Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the EU. "Russia is betting on threats, terror, and escalation," stated the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media X. Berlin noted the "attacks on hospitals, schools, and German television studios, and demands for our embassy to leave Kyiv." "Today we made it clear to Russia: we will not be intimidated by threats and will continue to resolutely support Ukraine," emphasized the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide summoned the Russian ambassador due to threats against foreign diplomats in Ukraine. Sweden summoned the Russian ambassador on the evening of May 25.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) summoned the acting permanent representative of Russia to the EU in connection with Moscow's threats, said service representative Anitta Hipper. According to her, Russia's actions represent an "unacceptable escalation." Brussels calls on Moscow to cease strikes on civilians and to engage in "genuine peace negotiations, starting with a complete and unconditional ceasefire." "The EU delegation in Ukraine remains in Kyiv," Hipper emphasized.
UN Countries Condemn Russian Threats
At a UN meeting on May 26 in New York, nearly 50 countries condemned Moscow's threats against foreign embassies in Kyiv in a joint statement. The address, read by Ukraine's permanent representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, was supported by European countries, Japan, and South Korea. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also criticized Russia's new threats and called for "avoiding any escalation of the conflict, which has already caused immense harm to the civilian population and risks further distancing the search for peace."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 25 at the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He noted the recommendation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the evacuation of American diplomatic personnel from Kyiv. The statement from the Russian foreign ministry reported that the Russian army is beginning "systematic and sequential strikes on facilities located in Kyiv used for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and on centers making relevant decisions."
Offices of DW and ARD Damaged During Kyiv Shelling
The shelling of Kyiv on the night of May 24 was the most extensive during the entire war between Russia and Ukraine in terms of damaged cultural institutions, wrote Ukrainian Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna on Facebook. According to the minister, damage was inflicted on the National Art Museum, the National Museum of "Chernobyl," the National Philharmonic, the National Music Academy, the Yaroslav the Wise Library, the Kyiv Opera, as well as architectural monuments - the Contract House and the Postal Station.
Cultural spaces such as Hinaus, the Ukrainian House, the Kyiv Small Opera, the Zhitniy Market, and the Church of the Nativity of Christ in Podil were also affected by the shelling, reported "Ukrainian Truth." Administrative buildings were also damaged - the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, as well as the residence of the Albanian ambassador. Damage was inflicted on the Kyiv offices of DW and the German TV channel ARD.
According to the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces launched 90 missiles and 600 drones at Ukraine on the night of May 24, with the main targets being Kyiv and the city of Bila Tserkva in Kyiv Oblast. For the strike on a facility in Bila Tserkva, Russia used the medium-range ballistic missile "Oreshnik" - this was its third use since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Leave a comment