US State Department orders embassy staff families to leave

Washington, Jan. 24 (BNA): The US State Department has ordered all family members of diplomats and non-emergency employees of the US Embassy in Kiev to leave Ukraine.

In an updated travel advisory issued Sunday evening, the US State Department said that due to the “ongoing threat of Russian military action, ‘US citizens in Ukraine’ should consider departing now using commercial transportation options or other privately available transportation options.” (dpa).

“Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19. Vigilance has increased in Ukraine due to crime and civil unrest. Some areas have increased risks,” states the Level 4 advisory report.

A senior State Department official spoke of “precautionary measures” in a conference call with reporters.

The State Department did not say how many employees at the US Embassy would be affected by the changes.

When asked about the timing of the decision, the State Department referred to the warning from the White House last week that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time. Moscow has repeatedly rejected this idea.

US citizens have also been advised not to travel to Crimea on the Black Sea or the breakaway pro-Russian provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.

Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Tier 4 Travel Health Notice for Ukraine, indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country.

HF