US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the US embassy in Kyiv
WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US State Department ordered the families of US diplomats in Ukraine to leave the country while urging US citizens to leave as soon as possible due to “increased threats of Russian military action.”
Tensions have been boiling over the US belief that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is preparing to invade neighboring Ukraine. Despite his claims to the contrary, intelligence reports suggest Putin could order military action at any time.
“On January 23, 2022, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of US direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action,” a memo from the State Department read.
Later in the day, a senior State Department official doubled down on the warning to US citizens.
“Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine would severely impact the US Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including assistance to US citizens in departing Ukraine,” the official told reporters in a call.
The US would not be in a position to evacuate citizens in such a contingency, added the official who was speaking on condition of anonymity.
Nevertheless, a second US official said that the US was hoping diplomatic efforts could prevent any military aggression on the part of Russia.
This official said that the US still did not know if Putin had made up his mind to invade Ukraine. “None of us know what President Putin will decide.”
The US State Department also issued a travel advisory on Sunday warning Americans not to travel to Russia due to mounting tensions on the border with Ukraine.
“Do not travel to Russia due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine,” a statement said, adding Americans could also face “harassment” and that the embassy would have “limited ability to assist US citizens.”
It particularly moved to dissuade US citizens from traveling to the Russia-Ukraine border region, saying “the situation along the border is unpredictable and there is heightened tension,” due to a Russian troop build up and military exercises in the area. — NNN-AGENCIES
