The embassies of Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden published matching messages rejecting intimidation after Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned foreign nationals, including diplomatic personnel, against remaining in Ukraine. Their statements added to assurances from France, Poland, Estonia, and the EU that missions would continue working in the Ukrainian capital.
“We are staying in Kyiv,” the embassies said, according to Interfax-Ukraine.
The messages expressed concern about Russian threats against diplomats and foreign citizens and called on Moscow to comply with the Vienna Convention and international humanitarian law.
The assurances extend beyond the embassies that have issued individual statements. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said all 25 EU member states with embassies in Kyiv were maintaining their presence, along with the EU Delegation and the EU Advisory Mission.
Speaking to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne on Sunday, Mathernova said the missions were in close contact. She described Russia’s threats as an expression of frustration over its failure to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
Mathernova also said she was unaware of any embassy preparing to leave. Her team continued to assess security conditions, she said, but the latest threats had not changed its approach.
Poland explicitly ruled out changes to the operation of its embassy in Kyiv.
The Polish Foreign Ministry said Moscow’s renewed calls for diplomats to leave were intended to intimidate Europe and weaken support for Ukraine. It reaffirmed Poland’s backing for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying Warsaw would continue responding to Russia’s actions alongside its allies.
Likewise, Estonia said its embassy would remain in Kyiv, describing the threats as an attempt to undermine international support for Ukraine.
Mathernova said Moscow was trying to push European countries into reducing their support for Ukraine. Instead, she said, the threats strengthened their determination to continue it.
France endorsed Mathernova’s statement reaffirming the diplomatic presence in the capital.
She also warned Russia against testing the international conventions governing diplomatic missions. The embassies’ repeated references to the Vienna Convention placed their response in the context of Moscow’s international obligations, alongside their assurances that they would stay.
