The European Commission said it would not change the presence of its mission in Kyiv after calls by the Russian Foreign Ministry to evacuate diplomatic personnel ahead of schedule due to a possible escalation on May 9.
European Commission spokesman Anouar El-Anouni stressed that Russian attacks are a daily reality for Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, and called Moscow’s threats part of a “mindless escalatory tactic,” Radio Liberty writes, the PromPolitInform portal informs.
“Russia is once again trying to cynically shift the blame to Ukraine for its own aggressive war,” the EC representative said.
Threats to the Russian Foreign Ministry
On the eve of the Russian Foreign Ministry sent a note to diplomatic missions urging them to “take seriously” the statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding possible attacks on Kyiv in the event of attacks on Moscow during the May 9 parade. The Kremlin threatened to strike at “decision-making centers.”
Reaction of Ukraine
Against the background of these statements, President Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine will respond to Russian strikes “mirror” and “long-range sanctions.”
According to the president, Moscow thwarted the silence regime proposed by Ukraine from midnight on May 6 and continues massive attacks with drones, missiles, bombs and assaults at the front.
“Ukraine will act fairly – from day to day,” Zelensky said.
The President noted that only since the beginning of the day Russia has used about 100 strike drones, carried out dozens of assaults and airstrikes. In his opinion, this indicates that the Kremlin is not interested in a real ceasefire, but seeks only to ensure “silence on Red Square” during the May 9 parade.
Photo – commission.europa.eu, Speaker of the European Commission Anouar El-Anouni
