Ukraine denies Guardian report on embassy evacuation plans from Kyiv

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi denied The Guardian's report that Western embassies are preparing evacuation plans from Kyiv, stating no foreign missions have informed Ukraine of such intentions. Tykhyi told LIGA.net he does not know where foreign media obtained this information, adding that the ministry has received no requests or notifications from diplomatic missions about relocation plans. The Guardian claimed some embassies were preparing contingency plans to move to Lviv or eastern Poland amid Russian attacks. The British newspaper reported that while Western diplomats publicly vow to stay in Kyiv, privately several top diplomats confirmed developing plans in case of targeted Russian strikes. The report also cited an unnamed diplomat claiming Russia intends to "freeze Kyiv" and return it to the Stone Age. In February 2022, many Western states evacuated their embassies before Russia's full-scale invasion, but in late May 2026, European missions ignored Russian threats and remained in Kyiv.