Russian FM Urges Diplomatic Withdrawal in Call with Rubio; Ukraine Urges Allies Not to Yield to Coercion

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone today with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging the US and other nations with embassies in Kyiv to ensure the evacuation of their diplomatic staff and citizens from the Ukrainian capital. Russia announced plans to launch more airstrikes on Kyiv, targeting "decision-making centers and command posts," and warned foreign personnel to leave the city as soon as possible. In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X, stating, "We are currently discussing with our partners, and there is no need to yield to Russian coercion." The EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, stated that Russia's warning is intended to create panic, adding, "Russia wants to create fear and panic, but it will not succeed. The EU will not leave; we will stay in Kyiv." The French Foreign Ministry also stated that they are accustomed to Putin's threats and that evacuation is not an option. Russia had issued similar warnings earlier this month and launched hundreds of drones and missiles over the weekend, causing casualties and damage in Kyiv. Russia claims Ukraine attacked a dormitory in the occupied Luhansk region, killing 21 people, a claim the Ukrainian military denies.