European Union officials summoned Russia’s top diplomat in Brussels over Russian warnings telling foreigners and diplomats to leave Kyiv ahead of planned new strikes on the Ukrainian capital. The move, initiated on Tuesday May 26th, was mirrored across Europe, with Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands also summoning Russian ambassadors or senior diplomats in their respective capitals.
Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed that Russia’s top diplomat in Oslo was summoned, expressing Norway’s strong opposition to the warnings:
We also emphasised that we have condemned Russia’s violent attacks on Kyiv this weekend.
He added that Russia had carried out extensive drone strikes and used the Oreshnik missile against Kyiv for the first time, calling the actions “unacceptable.”
Germany’s foreign ministry also summoned the Russian ambassador, while Dutch officials took similar steps, citing Moscow’s public warnings and ongoing attacks on the Ukrainian capital.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warned that the situation along the EU’s eastern border represents a broader challenge to European security. She said Baltic states have been experiencing conditions many believed belonged to another era, including air raid alerts, disruptions to transport, and civilians seeking shelter.
Von der Leyen described Russia’s actions as a “deliberate strategy” aimed at destabilising Europe.
