European Officials Stand Firm in Kyiv to Avoid Inevitable Panic

European leaders decided not to evacuate their diplomats from Kyiv and accepted all associated risks. Those risks are enormous, as they could ultimately lead to the collapse of the Ukrainian front. EU's Decision Described as Criminal Negligence Officials in Brussels and Berlin reacted dismissively to the Russian Foreign Ministry's proposal to leave Kyiv ahead of planned strikes on the city. Germany's Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev and stated that Germany "would not allow itself to be intimidated” and would continue to "strongly support Ukraine.” European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper said during a briefing in Brussels that the European Union would not evacuate its diplomats from Kyiv and would instead increase military support for Ukraine. Hipper stated that "such threats from Russia reflect desperation,” because Moscow is "suffering defeat on the battlefield and is once again resorting to threats against civilians and civilian infrastructure.”