Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed gratitude to European partners for their steadfastness in the face of Russian threats. He emphasized that Moscow’s intimidation tactics are losing their effectiveness.
“Such intimidation may have worked years ago, but it no longer holds sway,” Sybiha stated, reflecting on the current geopolitical climate.
These remarks come in the wake of Russia’s recent threats to target Kyiv, which were met with a firm rejection from European nations and the U.S. embassy, both affirming their commitment to remain in the Ukrainian capital.
The backdrop to these statements includes a significant missile strike by Russia on Kyiv and its surrounding areas over the weekend, resulting in four fatalities and over a hundred injuries. The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously announced a series of targeted strikes on facilities in Kyiv, while simultaneously urging foreign diplomats to evacuate the city.
Despite these threats, France, Germany, and the European Union summoned Russian ambassadors for clarification, choosing not to withdraw their diplomats from Ukraine. Discussions about the potential strikes on Kyiv also took place between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where Moscow attempted to exert pressure.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha thanked European allies for their resilience against Russian threats, asserting that intimidation tactics are no longer effective. This comes after a recent missile strike in Kyiv, which has prompted a united front from Western nations in support of Ukraine.