The United States announced the start of evacuation of the families of diplomats from Ukraine. Reuters reported.
According to the news agency, the U.S. ordered the evacuation of family members of embassy employees in Ukraine, citing a threat from Russia. They also allowed their public servants to voluntarily leave Ukraine and recommended the departure of the Americans who are employed there. In addition, the Department of State warned the Americans against traveling to Russia and Ukraine.
«We have consulted with the Ukrainian government on this move and are coordinating with the Allied and partner embassies in Kiev as they determine their position,» the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said.
The statement also notes that «military actions by Russia can begin at any time.» «The United States government will not be able to evacuate American citizens in such a contingency,» the statement says.
The diplomatic mission also said that the latest decisions were made «out of excessive caution in connection with Russia’s ongoing efforts to destabilize the country and undermine the security of Ukrainian citizens and others visiting or living in Ukraine.»
The Russian authorities have repeatedly denied any intention to attack Ukraine. «Russia is not going to attack Ukraine,» the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on January 21 in Geneva.
