KYIV: Ukraine on Wednesday called on its Western allies not to fuel tension inside the country, after a string of embassies in Kyiv announced they would close, citing the threat of a “massive air attack” on the capital.
The warnings of fresh strikes come as Moscow looks to retaliate against Ukraine for firing US-supplied long-range missiles on Russian territory for the first time.
The Kremlin accused outgoing US President Joe Biden of “fueling the fire” by allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with US-supplied powerful long-range missiles.
Russia has already ramped up a wave of deadly missile strikes in recent days, targeting various areas.
The United States led the wave of closures, saying it was shutting its embassy in Kyiv to the public after having received “specific information of a potential significant air attack” on Wednesday. It did not provide further details.
Greece, Hungary, Italy and Spain – all NATO members – followed suit, announcing the closures of their diplomatic premises in the capital.
Ukrainian officials criticized the rare move and called on its allies not to spread yet more fear among Ukrainian society.
Kyiv said the “information” the US was referring to looked to be a “psychological operation” launched by Moscow in a bid to destabilize the country.
“We remind you that the threat of strikes by the aggressor state has unfortunately been a daily reality for Ukrainians for over 1,000 days,” Ukraine’s foreign ministry said in a statement on social media.
The GUR military intelligence directorate said a “fake” message was being spread on social media, purporting to be a warning from them over a massive bomb attack on Kyiv.
Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election has also caused uncertainty in Ukraine.
The Republican has repeatedly criticized US support for Ukraine and claimed he could broker a ceasefire within hours.
Russia on Wednesday accused Biden of prolonging the war by stepping up weapons deliveries to Kyiv in his final weeks in office.
“If you look at the trends of the outgoing US administration, they are fully committed to continuing the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to do so,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
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Peskov was responding to the US saying it would soon provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday the decision to allow Kyiv to use the powerful long-range missiles was a “big mistake.”
“This step by Biden will not only escalate the conflict, but will lead to a greater reaction from Russia,” Erdogan told journalists.
Despite increased rumblings of possible talks to end the conflict, there is no sign of Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky being anywhere close to converging on a possible deal. – AFP
