The US is cutting embassy staff in Kyiv as there are signs of an increase in an impending attack from Russia. The US State Department is warning all Americans to leave Ukraine immediately, and the US is moving 160 troops based in Ukraine to other parts of Europe.
Efrem Lukatsky / AP
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Efrem Lukatsky / AP
The US is cutting embassy staff in Kyiv as there are signs of an increase in an impending attack from Russia. The US State Department is warning all Americans to leave Ukraine immediately, and the US is moving 160 troops based in Ukraine to other parts of Europe.
Efrem Lukatsky / AP
The US State Department has warned that it is “past time” for US citizens to leave Ukraine as the threat of a Russian invasion remains imminent. Late Friday night, the department directed US embassy staff in Kyiv leave the country. The US will also suspend most consular services in Ukraine starting Sunday.
President Biden is expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the crisis on Saturday.
The State Department’s travel notice for Ukraine has also been updated, asking Americans in that country to “depart immediately.”
“We fervently hope and continue to work intensively to try to ensure that Ukraine does not become a war zone,” a senior State Department official said Saturday at a news conference. . “However, it seems increasingly likely that this is the cause of this situation, towards some kind of positive conflict.”
“That’s why we are reducing staffing to a minimum while we still have the ability to get our official people out safely and in a predictable manner,” the official said. this said.
While the US embassy is not closed, the remaining staff in Ukraine will only conduct essential business activities. Some employees are also moving to the office in Lviv, where urgent consular services will be provided.
The State Department did not detail the exact number of staff remaining in the country, but said the remaining staff would include security and communications support staff.
The US State Department official also said that while it is reducing its “official footprint” in Ukraine, the US is still supporting the government and people of Ukraine. Ammunition from the US is still being shipped there, the official said.
The official said Ukrainian officials remain “very professional” about the steps the US is taking to reduce its presence, “even if they don’t all necessarily agree.”
US troops moved out of Ukraine, redeployed to other parts of Europe
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered the temporary deployment of US troops that have been deployed to Ukraine since late November – another sign that the US believes a Russian attack could come very soon.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Saturday that 160 members of the Florida National Guard who are training Ukrainian forces would move elsewhere in Europe.
“The Secretary made this decision out of an abundance of caution – with the safety and security of our staff – and informed in accordance with State Department guidance on personnel,” Kirby said in a statement. American member in Ukraine”.
“This repositioning does not represent a change in our resolve to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but will provide flexibility in assuring allies and deterring aggression comb,” added Kirby.
Blinken tells Russia a diplomatic path is still open
Several US officials have also held phone calls with their Russian counterparts. Biden was prepared to speak to Putin on Saturday morning. The White House said Russia suggested the call take place on Monday, but the US said it wanted the call scheduled for Saturday and Russia agreed.
Foreign Minister Antony Blinken also spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Saturday.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement that Blinken had made it clear that “a diplomatic path to resolving the crisis remains open, but it will require Moscow to align and engage in negotiations. good faith discussion.”
“[Blinken] reiterates that if Moscow pursues the path of aggression and continues to invade Ukraine, it will lead to a resolute, large, and unified transatlantic response,” said Price.
Austin also spoke with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu on Saturday, according to the Pentagon.
