Belgium and France Summon Russia’s Ambassadors After Moscow Warns of Systematic Strikes on Kyiv

Russia warned foreigners to leave Kyiv in advance of planned “systematic strikes,” and Belgium and France summoned Russia’s ambassadors to express anger after Moscow’s announcement was called “unacceptable” and a violation of international law.

“Belgium and France have summoned Russia’s ambassadors to express anger after Moscow urged foreigners to leave Kyiv in advance of planned “systematic strikes””

Al Jazeera

Kyiv’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha told the BBC that Ukraine is keen to introduce “new dynamics” into negotiations and wants “a new format of talks with the Russian side,” with “more active participation by the European side”.

Al Jazeera

The BBC reported that Russia’s “systematic strikes” warning followed an escalation in attacks, with Kyiv pummelled with missiles and drones over the weekend and Moscow threatening “systematic strikes” on the city.

In the same BBC account, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was not interested in hosting “an endless cycle of meetings that lead to nothing,” while clarifying the US remains ready to mediate “if that opportunity presents itself.”

Estonia’s foreign minister Margus Tsahkna told Euronews that “This is not the right time to rush into any kind of talks” with Russia, warning that direct engagement would amount to becoming a “neutral mediator” expected to provide Moscow with sanctions relief.

Tsahkna said Russia is “desperately working to bring Europe into talks because Putin needs to win time,” and argued that Europe should instead “focus on putting more pressure on Russia.”

BBC

The BBC described Ukraine urging the EU to help negotiate an end to the war with Russia at an informal meeting of European foreign ministers in Cyprus, where ministers will discuss how to approach any possible future talks.

In the BBC’s account of the EU debate, Kaja Kallas rejected a suggestion for an EU envoy, saying Gerhard Schröder would be “sitting on both sides of the table,” while Russia claimed it is open to negotiations with Europe as long as the envoy has not said “nasty things about us.”

The BBC reported that Ukraine warned the process must not become “a prolonged process focused only on discussions about who should represent, how many people, and what format,” and Sybiha said “This must happen quickly.”

“"This is not the right time to rush into any kind of talks" with Russia, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has said as debate over how to end the invasion of Ukraine continues”

Euronews

In the same BBC account, Russia’s stance was framed as preferring to talk to the US, and the BBC said Russia accused the EU of encouraging Kyiv militarily and undermining US peace efforts.

Euronews reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned that “Russia is showing, at this point, no willingness for peace,” and said “The bombardment of the past weekend speaks for itself.”

Euronews also reported that EU foreign ministers are weighing whether to break the diplomatic isolation imposed on Russia in 2022, with the debate continuing on Wednesday and Thursday during an informal gathering in Cyprus chaired by Kaja Kallas.