France Rejects Russian Call to Evacuate Kyiv Diplomats, Calls It Intimidation
France on Tuesday rejected a Russian call for foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux calling the demand “a new intimidation from Moscow.” Confavreux said it was “out of the question” to evacuate French diplomatic staff, though France is taking the threats “very seriously” with increased vigilance. Russia urged residents and diplomats to leave Kyiv “as soon as possible” ahead of what it said would be “systematic strikes” on military-industrial facilities.
France on Tuesday rejected a Russian call for foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux calling the demand "a new intimidation from Moscow."
"It is out of the question" to evacuate French diplomatic staff from the Ukrainian capital, Confavreux told broadcaster Franceinfo. He said France is taking the threats "very seriously," with "increased vigilance on the ground" and "constant contact with our nationals" to ensure their safety and information.
"This is a new intimidation from Moscow," Confavreux said. "We are used to it, but we do not accept it." He described the move as "all the more scandalous" because Russia, as a permanent UN Security Council member and a party to the conflict, must ensure the protection of Ukrainian civilians and foreign embassies. "It is trying to absolve itself of any possible future mistake, and that is unacceptable," he added. "Targeting civilian infrastructure is a war crime," he warned.
Russia on Monday urged residents of Kyiv, including diplomats and staffers of international organizations, to leave "as soon as possible" ahead of what it said would be "systematic strikes" on facilities linked to Ukraine's military-industrial complex. Moscow said the strikes would target drone production sites and command centers after a Ukrainian attack in the Russia-controlled Luhansk region that killed 21 people. Ukraine rejected the Russian claims, saying its forces target only military infrastructure in line with international humanitarian law.
Confavreux said Russia is "in a military deadlock" and that Ukrainian forces are inflicting heavy losses, estimating around 35,000 Russian troops killed or wounded each month. He said Moscow has sought external support and financial incentives to sustain its military effort and is feeling the economic squeeze due to sanctions, as well as internet disruptions affecting the population. The war between Russia and Ukraine has continued since 2022, making independent verification of claims difficult.