Germany's ambassador to Ukraine and the EU envoy have publicly vowed to remain in Kyiv after Russia reissued an advisory for foreigners and diplomats to leave. Boris Ruge and Katarina Mathernova exchanged defiant messages on X, with Mathernova saying threats will not halt Europe's support. The warning coincided with intensified Russian drone strikes on the capital and an unannounced visit by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The diplomats' decision underscores continued Western backing as Ukraine resists a full-scale invasion since February 2022.
German and EU Ambassadors Defy Moscow, Vow to Stay in Kyiv Amid Renewed Russian Warning
ILLUSTRATION - The flags of Ukraine (C), Germany (R) and the EU fly in front of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin before then German chancellor Scholz welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (is associated with: «German and EU ambassadors vow to stay in Kiev despite Russian warning») Christoph Soeder/dpa
Germany's ambassador to Ukraine, Boris Ruge, and the European Union's ambassador, Katarina Mathernova, have publicly declared they will remain in Kyiv after Russia's Foreign Ministry renewed an advisory urging foreign nationals and diplomatic staff to leave the city.
On X (formerly Twitter), Ruge responded to Mathernova with:
"Amen — we're staying."Mathernova also wrote:
"Threatening us will not stop Europe's support for Ukraine. It only reminds us why that support matters!"
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday reissued a warning first circulated in May, urging foreign citizens and diplomats to depart Kyiv and to refrain from traveling to Ukraine. The advisory comes as Russia has stepped up strikes on the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks, including repeated drone attacks during daylight hours on a city of roughly 3 million people.
Despite the warning, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made an unannounced trip to Kyiv on Sunday; the visit was not announced in advance for security reasons. The trip underscores continued high-level Western engagement with Ukraine amid heightened tensions.
Ukraine has resisted a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022, with sustained military, economic and humanitarian support from Germany, the European Union and other Western partners. The decision by senior diplomats to remain in Kyiv signals both solidarity and a commitment to maintain direct diplomatic contact in a volatile security environment.
Why It Matters: The diplomats' public stance highlights the political dimensions of the conflict: visible Western presence in Kyiv is intended to reassure Ukraine and deter escalation, while Russia's advisory reflects its attempt to exert pressure and influence perceptions about security on the ground.
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