Belgium and France summoned the Russian ambassador on May 27 to express outrage after Moscow urged foreigners to leave Kyiv ahead of planned systematic attacks. Brussels and Paris condemned the Russian announcement earlier this week as unacceptable and a violation of international law.
These two nations are the latest among several EU capitals demanding explanations. The discord makes it unlikely for the EU to mediate an end to the conflict—a deal Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is willing to accept.
Earlier, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and the European Union summoned Russian envoys on Tuesday after Moscow warned that foreigners and diplomats should leave the Ukrainian capital before new airstrikes.
'Threatening embassies is not diplomacy; it is intimidation, and it’s a blatant violation of international law and the Vienna Convention,' Belgian Foreign Minister Maxim Prevot said on May 27. 'Belgium is not going anywhere. We stay in Kyiv. We stand with Ukraine, and we will not be intimidated.' He added that Russia is the sole aggressor in the Ukraine conflict and called on Moscow to engage in genuine peace talks.
France’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Russia’s actions demonstrate cynicism and disregard for international law.
On May 25, Russia’s Defense Ministry warned it would carry out a series of systematic strikes on defense industrial facilities in Kyiv, claiming these were in retaliation for a Ukrainian drone attack the previous week on a student dormitory in Russian-occupied Starobilsk, Luhansk region. The statement said such facilities are scattered throughout Kyiv and warned 'foreign citizens, including staff of diplomatic missions and international organizations, to leave the city as soon as possible.'
Ukraine’s military denied responsibility for the dormitory attack, asserting it had struck an elite drone command unit. Russia has since escalated its attacks on Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia used 30 ballistic missiles in a large-scale attack on May 25, with only 11 intercepted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 27 called on U.S. President Donald Trump to help Ukraine with air defense systems and interceptor missiles, saying ballistic missiles remain 'Moscow’s last major battlefield advantage.' In a letter to Trump and the U.S. Congress, Zelensky wrote, 'I appeal for your help in protecting Ukraine’s skies from Russian missiles. Ukraine is ready to purchase the necessary number of Patriot systems and interceptor missiles.'
Diplomatically, the United States had previously sought to mediate cease-fire talks between Moscow and Kyiv but withdrew as it focused on war with Iran. This has raised the possibility that the EU might take over that role. However, the idea remains controversial, with many EU officials and member states cautious about engaging with Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated he is ready to negotiate with Europe. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow views European discussions about potential candidates for talks as a positive development.
Fighting continues despite diplomatic efforts. Russian forces are reported to have taken control of the villages Hraniv in Kharkiv region and Vozdvyzhivka in Zaporizhia region. Casualty reports indicate a man killed, and a mother with two young daughters wounded by shelling in Kherson; others wounded in Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions. On the Russian side, one person was wounded by a drone attack in Belgorod, two in Taganrog, and drone fragments caused a fire at the port of Tuapse.
