U.S. Congressman Jim Himes, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, characterized Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s call for the evacuation of foreign diplomatic personnel from Kyiv as a sign of desperation. Himes made these remarks during a press briefing in Kyiv on May 28, where he also highlighted the challenges Russia faces on the battlefield.
Himes pointed to the diminishing military position of Russia in Ukraine and the associated costs incurred by the Kremlin. He expressed confidence that this trend would continue in the near future. “In the coming months, you will see Ukrainian forces continue to reclaim territory, at a tremendous cost to Russia. So this is a sign of desperation,” he stated. He added that such threats reflect a mindset comfortable with committing war crimes, reaffirming his intention to return to Kyiv despite signals from Moscow.
On May 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced planned strikes on decision-making centers and command posts in Kyiv. In its statement, the ministry urged foreign citizens, including diplomatic personnel and representatives of international organizations, to leave the city as soon as possible.
In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry assessed that the overall level of security threats from Russia to Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities remains consistent with previous months. The ministry described the new Russian threats as blatant intimidation and expressed its readiness to assist in enhancing security for foreign diplomatic missions that request it.
Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Lavrov personally mentioned the Kremlin’s warnings during a phone call, cautioning that “Kyiv will be a very dangerous place.” Rubio further remarked that Kyiv has been a dangerous location for several years.
U.S. Congressman Jim Himes views recent Russian threats regarding Kyiv as indicative of Moscow's desperation amid ongoing military losses. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has dismissed these threats as intimidation, maintaining that security levels remain unchanged.