At the UN, around fifty states denounce “threats” from Moscow
Around fifty states and the European Union denounced Moscow’s “recent threats” against diplomats in kyiv on Tuesday, May 26, through Ukraine’s representative to the UN, Andriï Melnyk.
“We condemn (…) the recent threats made by Russia against diplomatic institutions and embassies in kyiv. This is something we cannot tolerate,” he said during a press briefing. Russian diplomacy on Monday called on foreign nationals living in kyiv, including diplomatic staff, to leave the Ukrainian capital before further Russian bombings.
Moscow seeks to “destabilize” European democracies
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visiting Vilnius blamed recent drone alerts in the Baltic states on Russia, accusing it of seeking to “destabilize democratic societies” in the EU.
“Air alerts, families taking refuge in shelters, schools closed, transport suspended. This is the reality on Europe’s eastern border in 2026,” said Ursula von der Leyen in the presence of the presidents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
“These are not isolated incidents, this is a deliberate strategy by Russia which seeks to destabilize our democratic societies. But just like on the battlefields in Ukraine, Russia is failing,” she added during a press briefing.
EU summons Russian charge d’affaires
The European Union summoned the Russian charge d’affaires in Brussels after Moscow’s “threat” against diplomats stationed in kyiv, an EU spokesperson announced.
“The Russian threat targeting foreign citizens and diplomats to leave kyiv is an unacceptable escalation,” said spokesperson Anitta Hipper on X, stressing that the European Union delegation would remain present in the Ukrainian capital.
🇷🇺 threat to foreign citizens & diplomats to leave Kyiv is an unacceptable escalation. @eu_eeas summoned the Chargé d’Affairs, calling to stop hitting civilians & 🇷🇺 to engage in genuine peace talks starting with a full and unconditional ceasefire. @EUDelegationUA stays in Kyiv.
— Anitta Hipper (@ExtSpoxEU) May 26, 2026
This content is blocked because you have not accepted cookies and other trackers.
I manage my choices I authorize
The United States remains ready to mediate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, after a massive Russian offensive against kyiv.
“The United States is ready and willing to do everything in its power to facilitate an end to this war, and we hope that the opportunity will present itself at some point,” he said after calling his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
US embassy in kyiv called for evacuation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday urged the United States to evacuate its embassy in kyiv during a telephone conversation with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The Russian minister “drawn his attention to a statement” of the day from his ministry “recommending to the United States, as well as other states with missions in kyiv, to ensure the evacuation of their diplomatic personnel and their nationals from the Ukrainian capital,” said the press release from the Russian ministry.
