Poland and EU refuse to leave Kyiv as Merz visits Ukraine following Russian warnings

Diplomatic missions refuse evacuation

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Union representatives announced on Sunday that their diplomatic missions in Kyiv will continue operating despite Russian warnings instructing foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued an advisory on Saturday claiming that Moscow cannot guarantee safety during planned attacks on military targets across Ukrainian cities. Polish officials stated that the Russian warnings violate international law and represent an attempt to intimidate European allies while weakening support for Ukraine. The ministry reaffirmed Poland's backing for Ukraine's territorial integrity and self-determination, pledging to work with partners to increase diplomatic pressure on Moscow.

In short: we are not leaving. We are with the Ukrainians.

European Union Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova confirmed that the EU delegation will also remain in the capital. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that no Western embassy had notified Ukrainian authorities of any evacuation plans, countering earlier media reports about potential relocations to Lviv or Poland.

Russia sent a message to foreign diplomats in Kyiv: either you leave or you risk your own lives. Our answer: we stay. The EU delegation stays in Kyiv.

German chancellor arrives in Kyiv

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by train on Sunday morning for an unannounced visit, accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche as well as executives from German defense and energy companies. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister welcomed the delegation at the Kyiv railway station ahead of negotiations with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions focused on strengthening Ukrainian defense resilience, joint European security, and finalizing a supply agreement for interceptor drones designed to defend against jet-powered Russian unmanned aircraft.

I came to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks. Today I will tell President Zelenskyy: you can continue to count on our help.

Merz warned that failing to halt Russian aggression would eventually expose other European nations to military conflict.

If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us.

Pattern of threats and Kyiv strikes

The latest Russian advisory follows a similar demand issued in May, which 50 countries condemned as a threat in a joint statement under United Nations auspices. Western diplomatic missions chose to remain in the capital at that time, and Poland summoned Russian Ambassador Georgij Michno to its foreign ministry in protest. Polish consular facilities have previously sustained damage during Russian missile strikes on Kyiv. Late in September, Polish chargé d'affaires Piotr Łukasiewicz shared photographs showing thick smoke rising in close proximity to the embassy grounds following another Russian aerial bombardment.

Recent Russian aerial attacks in Kyiv have struck civilian infrastructure, including a school and a residential apartment building, despite Moscow urging Ukrainian citizens to avoid administrative and military sites. Ukrainian authorities dismissed reports suggesting embassy personnel planned evacuations toward western Ukraine, noting that no foreign representations had signaled such plans. Ukrainian officials anticipate that the Kremlin will intensify combat operations and air strikes across Ukraine leading up to the United States congressional elections.