European countries have roundly rejected Russia's threat against diplomats based in Kyiv and confirmed their representations would continue to operate without interruption.
Germany, France, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Estonia and the European Commission are among those that have summoned Russia's ambassadors to convey their outrage after the Kremlin published a notification urging foreign citizens and diplomatic staff to leave Kyiv "as soon as possible" ahead of fresh air strikes.
"Through its actions, Russia demonstrates daily its cynicism and contempt for international law," the French Foreign Ministry's spokesperson said on Wednesday.
"France strongly condemns Moscow's intimidation tactics, which are proof of the military impasse in which the country finds itself in Ukraine."
Spain also pushed back, handing the Russian ambassador in Madrid a "strong complaint" over the public threat against diplomats and the recent large-scale attack on Kyiv, sources close to the foreign ministry said.
