Non-essential staff have already been ordered to leave
Amid fears that Russia is planning to invade Ukraine, Washington will withdraw all personnel from its embassy in Kiev in the next 24-48 hours, news network CBS reported on Sunday evening, a day after all non-emergency employees were ordered to depart.
Citing three unnamed sources, CBS News noted continuing tensions have caused the American government to decide to evacuate the Ukrainian capital. Just two days earlier, CBS also reported that America’s embassy had opted to open a fallback location in Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine and close to the border with Poland.
On Sunday, the US suspended consular services in the capital.
The report that the embassy in Kiev may be completely evacuated comes a day after the State Department ordered the departure of the majority of the mission’s employees, citing “the continued threat of Russian military action.” American citizens have also been told to leave the country using commercial or other privately available transportation options.
The order comes as Russia stands accused of placing more than 100,000 soldiers near its border with Ukraine, with some believing this is a sign of an impending military incursion. This claim has been repeatedly denied by the Kremlin, and has also been played down by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, according to the US, Moscow could order an invasion “essentially at any time.” Speaking to CBS on Sunday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told American citizens to use commercial options to leave Ukraine.
“President Biden is not intending to send in American forces to fight Russia in that war, and Americans who have the opportunity to get out now should avail themselves of it,” he explained.
0 Comments