Russia: US orders diplomats’ families depart Kyiv embassy amid imminent invasion
THE US State Department has ordered that the families of diplomat's at the embassy in Kyiv be withdrawn as a potential invasion of the country looms.
Biden says Putin will pay ‘dear price’ if he invades Ukraine
According to an internal cable obtained by ABC News, the US has urged direct hire employees to leave the country. The order also extends to US citizens currently in Ukraine who have been advised to leave the country immediately on commercial flights.
The orders come amid fears Russia could invade Ukraine at any moment after amassing around 100,000 troops on the border.
Ukraine has been on the Department’s highest travel advisory - Level 4: Do not Travel - for months in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Last month the advisory was updated with a warning over Russia’s military activity.
It read: “Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine,” which “would severely impact the US Embassy's ability to provide consular services” to Americans.
On Saturday, a State Department spokesperson told ABC the US will not evacuate Americans like they did for the operation conducted out of Afghanistan last August.
The spokesperson said: “American citizens should not anticipate that there will be US government-sponsored evacuations.
“Currently commercial flights are available to support departures.”
The announcement also comes amid reports President Bidn is considering deploying several thousand troops to Eastern Europe.
READ MORE: Will Russia invade Ukraine? Dominic Raab warns risk is ‘very serious’
According to the New York Times, between 1,000 to 5,000 troops, warships and aircraft could be sent to Putin’s doorstep with the potential to increase the number of troops tenfold if things deteriorate.
Speaking on CBS’s ‘Face the Nation’ US secretary of State, Anthony Blinken said NATO will be reinforced should Russia commit an act of aggression.
He said: “Even as we’re engaged in diplomacy, we are very much focused on building up defense, building up deterrence.
“NATO itself will continue to be reinforced in a significant way if Russia commits renewed acts of aggression.
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“All of that is on the table.