Belgium and France became the latest European countries to summon Russia's ambassadors on Wednesday, calling Moscow's warning to foreigners and diplomats to evacuate Kyiv before planned "systematic strikes" a flagrant violation of international law and the Vienna Convention. Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and the EU had already taken the same step a day earlier, following Russia's announcement that it intends to target defence facilities across the Ukrainian capital. The diplomatic row complicates tentative moves toward EU-mediated peace talks, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he is open to negotiations with Europe — a development the Kremlin described as positive, with EU foreign ministers set to discuss the possibility on Thursday.