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A shopping mall in Kyiv, Ukraine, stands heavily damaged following Russian missile and drone attacks on May 24. / Photo via Reuters

While Russia raised the stakes by warning of imminent high-intensity airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and urged foreigners to evacuate, the European Union (EU) delegation made its stance clear that it will remain on the ground, Reuters reported on May 25.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a issued release on the day that "systematic strikes" targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure and command centers were imminent, warning foreign nationals, including diplomats, to immediately evacuate the area.

In the face of the looming threat, the EU Delegation to Ukraine expressed a resolute commitment to stay. Katarína Mathernová, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, noted on social media that Russia’s latest warning was a calculated move to stoke fear and isolation, asserting, "The EU is not going anywhere; we are staying in Kyiv."

The decision by the delegation, which represents all 27 EU member states, is interpreted as a strategic move to maintain diplomatic solidarity with Ukraine even as the theater of war intensifies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained during a dialogue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the upcoming military action is a retaliatory measure against Ukraine's persistent strikes targeting Russian civilians, according to Reuters.

The Ukrainian leadership, meanwhile, urged its allies to stand firm against Moscow's psychological pressure. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated via the social media platform X that Kyiv is actively coordinating countermeasures with its partners and will not capitulate to the offensive.

Despite ongoing US mediation efforts to bring an end to the war, both sides continue to trade blame, accusing one another of escalating the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed frustration over the lack of substantial progress with the US regarding the scaling up of anti-aircraft missile defense system manufacturing, adding that he expects "new diplomatic measures" from Washington.

Meanwhile, Ukraine plans to deploy additional troops to its northern regions to counter Russia's newly anticipated aerial offensive, Reuters added.

                                                                                                             Lee Jung-eun