Kyiv criticises Western allies for embassy closures

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 and with the Kremlin accusing outgoing US President Joe Biden of dragging out the war.

Russia has already ramped up a wave of deadly missile strikes in recent days, targeting residential areas and Ukraine’s energy grid. Air alerts blare out across the country daily.

The United States led the wave of closures, saying it was shutting its Kyiv office 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 criticised the rare move and called on its allies not to spread yet more fear among Ukrainian society.