EU corrects Kallas’ claim about US Embassy leaving Kyiv
Photo: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
The European Union revised a statement from the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, regarding the departure of the US Embassy from Kyiv.
Specifically, references to the United States regarding its diplomatic presence in Kyiv were removed from the European Union External Action website.
The corrected version of the statement says that all European embassies continue operating in the Ukrainian capital, while the clarification regarding the United States has been removed.
“Also, what we heard from Ukraine yesterday was that all the embassies stayed*, so that also takes courage from those embassies, but yes, all the Europeans stayed*. (*Updated with a correction with regard to the diplomatic presence in Kyiv),” the statement now reads.
Photo: screenshot of the statement.
Background
Earlier today, media outlets circulated comments from Kaja Kallas, who said that “what we heard from Ukraine yesterday was that all the embassies stayed except one. But yes, all the Europeans stay. America left.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry denied reports that the US Embassy had left Kyiv due to threats of Russian strikes.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi told journalists that Kallas’ remarks were false and stressed that information about the US Embassy leaving Kyiv was untrue.
Presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said that American diplomats had left Kyiv on the night of Sunday, May 25.
The US Embassy denied reports about its departure from Ukraine and said it continues operating.
Russian threats
On May 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced new terror against Ukraine’s civilian population. Russian officials began threatening systematic strikes on Kyiv and urged foreign diplomats to leave the city.
Russia claimed that potential targets could include “decision-making centers” and “command posts.”
Moreover, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and said that Russia was “beginning strikes” on facilities in Kyiv allegedly used by the military.
Following the threats, the European Union summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires.
