“Unacceptable escalation”
Foreign Office summons Russian ambassador
Updated May 26, 2026 – 3:43 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Russia calls on diplomats to leave Kiev – and threatens further attacks. The Foreign Office then summons Russia’s ambassador.
After Russia asked foreigners and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital Kiev, the Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador. The Foreign Office wrote on the online platform X that they will not allow themselves to be intimidated by threats and will continue to provide strong support for Ukraine.
Earlier in the day, the EU had summoned the chargé d’affaires of the Russian embassy in Brussels. The Russian “threat” is an “unacceptable escalation,” said EU Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper on X. The EU’s diplomatic staff in Ukraine would remain in Kiev, she added.
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Russia had announced further attacks on Kyiv and called on foreigners to leave the city. Brussels is calling on Russia to stop shelling civilians and agree to a “complete and unconditional ceasefire,” Hipper wrote. Russia should start “real peace talks”.
Russia fired numerous drones and missiles at Ukraine and especially at Kiev over the Pentecost weekend. Moscow also used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which, according to Moscow, can be equipped with nuclear warheads. Ukraine reported four deaths on Monday. During nighttime Russian attacks on Kiev over the weekend, the ARD studio and the Deutsche Welle (DW) office were massively damaged and partially destroyed.
Russia urged foreigners and diplomats in Kiev on Monday to leave the Ukrainian capital “as soon as possible” in view of impending new attacks. “The attacks will target both decision-making centers and command posts,” said the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. “We warn foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organizations,” the ministry said.
