The Polish Foreign Ministry has responded to Russian threats of possible new strikes on Kiev by saying that it continues to consider all Russian attacks on Ukraine, in particular on civilian objects and population, as acts of unjustified aggression resulting in massive loss of life and infrastructure.
Any strikes on Polish diplomatic missions would be considered as deliberate actions, the statement released on 25 May said – in response to Russian threats of new strikes on Kiev and calls to evacuate foreign diplomats.
“Since Russia, as it claims, is not waging war, but is conducting a so-called” special military operation” which should be limited to military installations, any attacks on other infrastructure, including diplomatic missions, should be regarded as hostile actions. Therefore, we will consider any attack on Polish diplomatic missions as deliberate and premeditated,” the Polish Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry called on Russia to “immediately stop its unjustified and illegal aggression” and adhere to its international obligations and treaties.
“The actions of the Russian Federation have serious international legal consequences, which further undermines its role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” the statement said.
On May 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced strikes on “decision-making centres and command posts” in Kiev. In a statement, the Russian ministry warned foreign citizens, including staff of diplomatic missions and representative offices of international organisations, to leave Kiev as soon as possible.
Commenting on the statement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga recalled that on 25 May, more than 70 representatives of foreign diplomatic missions visited the sites of the massive Russian strike in Kiev carried out at night against 24 May.
“We are now discussing with our partners that there is no need to give in to this Russian blackmail,” Sibiga said.
Katarina Maternova, head of the EU Delegation in Kiev, said the Russian warning was aimed at sowing panic: “Russia wants fear. Panic. Isolation of Ukraine. It won’t work. The EU is not going anywhere. We are staying in Kiev. We are staying with Ukraine.”