Ukraine war briefing: Russia pressures US to clear way for attacks on Kyiv

Russia pressured the United States to evacuate embassy staff in Kyiv during a phone call with the US secretary of state. Russia threatened systematic strikes on the capital and demanded that foreigners leave. Ukraine’s foreign minister urged allies not to yield to Russian blackmail. The head of the EU mission in Kyiv said the EU would not leave and would stay with Ukraine, stating Russia seeks fear, panic, and isolation. In Kyiv, rescuers cleared damage from Sunday strikes that authorities said killed at least four people and injured 91. Foreign diplomats visited the affected Lukyanivka neighborhood. Residents returned to routines, including children playing near strike sites, people warning about glass, and customers supporting damaged businesses despite damage.

"Russia has threatened systematic strikes on the capital and demanded that foreigners leave. The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, urged Kyiv's allies not to give in to Russian blackmail. Katarina Mathernova, the head of the EU mission in Kyiv, said the 27-nation bloc was not going anywhere. Mathernova said: Russia wants fear, panic, isolation of Ukraine. It will not work. The EU is not going anywhere. We are staying in Kyiv. We are staying with Ukraine."

"In Kyiv, rescuers tackled the aftermath of Sunday's strikes, which authorities said killed at least four people and injured 91. More than 70 foreign diplomats paid their respects to the victims of the strikes, visiting the heavily damaged neighbourhood of Lukyanivka. Agence France-Presse reported that Kyiv residents returned to their normal routines on Monday sunbathing on terraces, playing in the streets, sitting at cafes with some saying they had become desensitised after more than four years of war."

"We're used to it, said Roman, a 36-year-old firefighter who helped clear the ruins from one of many destroyed buildings. Emotions take a back seat, he said as behind him a young man stepped over a heap of charred debris, taking care not to spill his latte macchiato. On one street, children played metres from the site of a Russian strike. Watch out for glass! one woman shouted at them."

"After one coffee shop was damage by a strike, dozens of Kyiv residents flocked to support the business, queueing up to make orders despite the damage. The owner, Yevgen Prusak, became a minor social media celebrity after serving hot drinks to rescuers through the blown-out windows of his shop. Yesterday I thought I was going to close for good, said Prusak, the 35-year-old owner of Hogo cafe. But seeing customers come back, I understood who I'm working for."

Read at www.theguardian.com