The German Embassy in Ukraine has issued an official statement following new threats from the Russian Federation directed at foreign diplomats and citizens. Despite statements from the Russian side regarding continued strikes on Ukrainian cities and calls for diplomatic missions to evacuate, the German diplomatic mission has decided to remain in the Ukrainian capital.
Background and Threats from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A few days ago, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public appeal to foreign diplomatic missions located in Kyiv. Moscow demanded that diplomatic staff leave the territory of Ukraine, citing the inevitability of continued strikes by the Russian armed forces on military infrastructure facilities. Such ultimatums caused serious concern not only in Berlin but also in other European Union capitals, becoming another element of diplomatic and psychological pressure.
Response from the German Embassy and the European Union
In response to the aggressive rhetoric, the German Embassy in Ukraine emphasized its solidarity with other international missions via its official Facebook page. "Together with other heads of diplomatic missions in Kyiv, we view with concern the threat by the Russian Foreign Ministry against diplomats and foreign citizens in Ukraine," the diplomatic mission stated. Furthermore, German diplomats reminded Moscow of the need for strict compliance with the Vienna Convention and international humanitarian law.
Contradictory Data
Despite the general solidarity of Western partners, discussions arose in expert circles and open sources regarding possible behind-the-scenes security measures. While official agencies categorically state that their status remains unchanged and they continue to operate normally, the press actively discussed issues of strengthening security measures for embassy staff and their families. Some sources pointed to a partial reduction of non-diplomatic personnel, but these reports have not been officially confirmed by the governments of Germany and EU countries, which insist on the full functioning of their representative offices in Kyiv.
Political Context and Support for Ukraine
Commenting on the situation, European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand described Moscow's actions as targeted intimidation. According to him, the main goal of such threats is to force Europe to reduce the scale of aid to Ukraine. Wigand firmly assured that the European Union will not yield to blackmail, will not curtail its support, and will maintain the status of the EU Delegation in Kyiv unchanged. This stance demonstrates the unwavering resolve of European institutions in the face of escalation.
