EU Countries Summon Russian Envoys After Kyiv Strike Warning

Belgium and France summoned Russia’s ambassadors on Wednesday after Moscow warned foreigners and diplomats to leave Kyiv before planned strikes on defense facilities. Brussels and Paris described the warning as unacceptable and a violation of international law. Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the European Union summoned Russian envoys on Tuesday over the same announcement.

Belgium’s foreign minister said threatening embassies constitutes intimidation and violates the Vienna Convention. The minister added that Belgium will remain in Kyiv and stand with Ukraine. France’s foreign ministry stated that Russia’s actions show cynicism and contempt for international law. The ministry summoned the Russian ambassador at the minister’s request following weekend airstrikes.

Russia’s defense ministry said on Monday it would conduct systematic strikes on industrial sites in Kyiv and advised foreign citizens to depart. The ministry cited a prior Ukrainian drone attack on a student dorm in occupied Luhansk. Ukraine’s military denied responsibility for the dorm strike and said it had targeted a drone command unit.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the United States for additional air-defense systems and interceptor missiles in a letter to President Donald Trump and Congress.

and Casualties Russian President Vladimir

Putin said he is open to negotiations with Europe, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described European discussion of possible negotiators as a positive step. Russian forces reported taking two villages in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia regions.

Ukrainian officials reported civilian casualties from shelling and drone strikes in Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions, while Russian authorities reported injuries from drone and missile incidents in Belgorod, Taganrog and Krasnodar regions.