Belgium and France summoned Russia’s ambassadors after Moscow urged foreigners to leave Kyiv ahead of planned systematic strikes. Brussels and Paris said the warning was unacceptable and violated international law. Belgium’s foreign minister said Belgium would stay in Kyiv and would not be intimidated, and urged Russia to engage in genuine peace talks. France’s foreign affairs ministry said Russia’s actions show cynicism and contempt for international law and summoned the Russian ambassador at the minister’s request. Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and the European Union also summoned Russian envoys after similar warnings about diplomats and foreigners leaving the Ukrainian capital. Putin said he could accept an EU-mediated ceasefire arrangement, but the escalating diplomatic dispute is unlikely to help mediation efforts.
"Belgium and France have summoned Russia's ambassadors to express anger after Moscow urged foreigners to leave Kyiv in advance of planned systematic strikes. Brussels and Paris said on Wednesday that Russia's announcement earlier in the week was unacceptable and a violation of international law. The pair are the latest of several European Union capitals to demand an explanation. The spat is unlikely to help smooth the way for the EU to mediate talks to bring the conflict to an end, an arrangement that Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he is ready to accept."
"Threatening embassies is not diplomacy, it is intimidation. And it is a flagrant violation of international law and the Vienna Convention, Belgium Foreign Minister Maxim Prevot said on Wednesday. Belgium is not going anywhere. We are staying in Kyiv. We are standing with Ukraine. And we will not be intimidated, he said, adding that Russia is the sole aggressor in the Ukraine conflict, and urging Moscow to engage in genuine peace talks."
"France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said in a statement that Russia's actions demonstrate its cynicism and contempt for international law. Following last weekend's massive airstrikes and in light of the unacceptable threats against Ukrainian civilians and foreign diplomats, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian Federation's Ambassador to France, at the Minister's request, read the statement."
"Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the European Union summoned Russian envoys on Tuesday following Moscow's warning that foreigners and diplomats should leave the Ukrainian capital before the onset of renewed air strikes. Several EU capitals have expressed anger over Moscow's warning, which won't help smooth the way for Brussels to mediate a ceasefire, an idea to which Putin now says he could be open."
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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