Washington-January 24 (Online): The United States (US) has ordered the families of its diplomats in the Ukrainian capital Kiev to leave the country due to the continued threat of Russian military action.
In a statement, the United States (US) State Department also issued a travel advisory warning to Americans not to travel to Russia due to mounting tensions on the border with Ukraine.
Washington has also authorized the “voluntary” departure of its non-essential embassy staff and urged US citizens in the Eastern European country to “consider departing now,” saying it will not be in a position to evacuate them after any possible incursion by Moscow.
Russia has been massing tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine, along with an arsenal of tanks, fighting vehicles, artillery and missiles.
The movements have ignited stern warnings from Washington and Europe — but so far intense diplomacy has yielded little results.
The US embassy remains open and Charge d Affaires Kristina Kvien is staying in the country for now, a senior State Department official told reporters.
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