U.S. Orders Embassy In Ukraine To Evacuate Ahead Of Feared Russian Invasion
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The U.S. State Department began evacuating staffers from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on Saturday, saying Moscow could imminently launch an invasion of Ukraine. The remarks came in a security update emailed to U.S. citizens in the country.
“U. S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine, and those in Ukraine should depart immediately using commercial or other privately available transportation options,” the advisory said.
U.S. President Joe Biden has made clear he won’t send troops to rescue Americans, though a U.S. security source told Worthy News that U.S. forces are in Ukraine.
Americans staying behind will potentially face more difficulties as of Sunday, when “the Department of State will suspend consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv,” the advisory warned.
“The embassy will maintain a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine to handle emergencies but will not be able to provide a passport, visa, or routine consular services,” it added.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan cautioned Friday that there is a “very distinct possibility” that Russia will invade Ukraine in a “reasonably swift time frame.”
He urged all U.S. citizens there to leave immediately. Sullivan could not confirm that Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided to attack, but he claimed that military action could begin “any day.”
Russia has close to 130,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials. Moscow says it has “no intention” to invade, but it demands security guarantees from the West.
Moscow’s demands include stopping the expansion of the NATO military alliance further eastwards, including Ukraine. The U.S. and allies don’t accept Russia’s wishlist saying it is up to any democratic country, including Ukraine, to join NATO.
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