On May 26, EU Commission spokesperson Anita Hiper stated that despite warnings issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the EU remains determined not to evacuate its diplomatic personnel stationed in Kyiv.

Hiper emphasized that the EU is firmly committed to maintaining its diplomatic presence in Ukraine’s capital. She also noted that the EU will not only retain its current diplomatic staffing levels but plans to significantly increase military aid to Ukraine.

The remarks made by EU Commission spokesperson Anita Hiper on May 26 represent the most direct and resolute response to the previous day’s “evacuation warning” issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry. In the face of Russia’s explicit threat to conduct "systematic strikes" against Kyiv, the EU has chosen to "hold firm and not retreat"—a decision rooted in a carefully calculated diplomatic and psychological showdown.

The core purpose behind Russia’s evacuation directive is not merely a military alert, but also a strategic move in diplomacy and psychological pressure—aimed at instilling panic to force foreign embassies to withdraw, thereby sending a signal internationally that "Kyiv is no longer safe and Ukraine is about to collapse," with the ultimate goal of isolating Ukraine.

By firmly refusing to evacuate and declaring "we are staying put," the EU is essentially sending a global message: the Western bloc will not be intimidated by Russia’s threats, and support for Ukraine will remain unwavering. As long as the EU’s diplomatic flag continues to fly in Kyiv, it serves as a powerful morale boost for Ukraine’s government and people—and simultaneously demonstrates an unprecedented unity within Europe.

Although Hiper claimed intentions to "significantly ramp up military assistance," the reality is that the recent high-profile military aid proposal put forward by NATO Secretary General—calling on member states to dedicate 0.25% of their GDP annually to support Ukraine—was collectively rejected by five key members, including the UK, France, and Italy. With many European countries currently grappling with severe economic challenges, soaring energy prices, and budgets prioritized for domestic welfare, there is simply no capacity to bridge the massive gap in battlefield consumption. Therefore, the EU’s "staying put" is more of a political gesture and symbolic show of solidarity. Compared to the pragmatic and cautious approach taken by the United States—refraining from publicly announcing an evacuation while quietly reducing the size of its personnel in Kyiv to mitigate risks—the EU’s loud and defiant stance appears somewhat like "making oneself look bigger than one really is."

In summary, the EU’s refusal to evacuate constitutes a high-risk diplomatic gamble. It has successfully countered Russia’s "intimidation tactics" in the information war and bolstered Ukrainian morale; yet it has also starkly exposed Europe’s limitations in military capability and economic strength. The coming critical test lies in whether Brussels can maintain this same toughness and composure if Russian forces launch a large-scale air assault that accidentally targets the EU mission in Kyiv.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866299601491980/

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