February 14, 2022
2 mins read

US relocates its embassy in Ukraine amid Russian threat

The State Department on Saturday ordered the departure of most US direct hire employees from the embassy in Kiev, a decision it claimed was made “due to the continued threat of Russian military action”…reports Asian Lite News

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that the US will temporarily relocate its embassy in Ukraine from the capital city of Kiev to the western city of Lviv, citing escalating tensions on Ukraine’s borders.

“We are in the process of temporarily relocating our Embassy operations in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv to Lviv due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces,” Blinken said, using the Romanized spelling of the name of the capital city from the Ukrainian language.

“The Embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine,” Xinhua news agency quoted the secretary as saying.

He added that his country also remains “engaged with the Russian government” and that the “path for diplomacy remains available.”

The State Department on Saturday ordered the departure of most US direct hire employees from the embassy in Kiev, a decision it claimed was made “due to the continued threat of Russian military action” against neighboring Ukraine.

Passport, visa and other routine consular services have been suspended since Sunday, according to the department, and the mission of the now-reduced U.S. diplomatic team is to “handle emergencies” in Lviv.

The US and the Russian top diplomats and defense officials held separate telephone conversations Saturday to discuss the Ukraine crisis, followed later in the same day by a high-stakes phone call between US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In addition to evacuating its diplomatic staff, the US has also been urging its nationals currently in Ukraine to depart immediately, warning that those who choose to stay cannot count on the US military to come to their rescue in the event that war breaks out in Ukraine.

Washington has been releasing intelligence purporting an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine but refused to back it up with details. Moscow, for its part, has repeatedly denied any intention to invade, accusing the Biden administration of “hysteria.”

ALSO READ: Govts urge citizens to leave Ukraine amid fears of invasion

Previous Story

Taliban delegation holds talks with Gulf envoys in Doha

Next Story

Fashion inspired by timeless beauty of Mughal arch

Latest from -Top News

Business Leaders Laud UK-India Trade Deal

The British government described the deal as the “biggest and most economically significant” trade agreement the UK has signed since leaving the European Union in 2020. Business leaders have today expressed strong

US Lawmakers Backs India’s Retaliation

Indian-American Lawmakers Endorses India’s Swift Response to Pakistan Tensions…reports Asian Lite News On Wednesday, one US lawmaker of Indian descent urged Pakistan not to exploit the ongoing tensions with India as an

U.S. Raises Alarm for Americans in Pakistan

Earlier, the US Department of State had issued a travel advisory in March, also urging its citizens to “reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.”…reports Asian Lite

Khawaja Asif: Peace Only If India Backs Down

The Indian strikes and Islamabad’s retaliation has jolted locals who fear that it could potentially lead to a full-scale war between the two countries…reports Asian Lite Ndews Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US-India Relations Reach New Heights

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan gave an equally glowing account

Biden announces $325 mn military aid for Ukraine

Biden has called on world leaders to stand strong with