European capitals summon Russian envoys en masse after Moscow tells diplomats to quit Kyiv

France summoned Russia's ambassador in Paris on 27 May, the most prominent move in a coordinated wave of European protests after Moscow told foreign citizens and diplomatic staff to leave Kyiv ahead of threatened strikes on the Ukrainian capital's "decision-making centres." The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said the envoy was summoned at the minister's request following the weekend's massive airstrikes and unacceptable threats against Ukrainian civilians and foreign diplomats, declaring: "Each day, Russia's actions demonstrate its cynicism and contempt for international law. France strongly condemns Moscow's acts of intimidation, which are proof of its military stalemate in Ukraine." The ministry's director general told the envoy France "will remain in Kyiv." Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Estonia and the European Commission took parallel action on 27 May, a day after Poland summoned Russia's envoy and nearly 50 countries issued a joint statement at the United Nations condemning the threats.

The trigger was Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's 25 May warning urging foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organisations, to depart Kyiv as soon as possible — issued one day after one of Russia's heaviest attacks on the capital since the 2022 full-scale invasion. The head of the EU mission in Kyiv said diplomats from all 27 member states would stay, and Washington said it had no plans to evacuate its embassy.