The State Department has authorized the evacuation for some embassy members in Ukraine and has called on all Americans to leave the country as a potential Russian invasion nears.
“On January 23, 2022, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct-hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action,” the State Department said in a press release.
“U.S. citizens in Ukraine should consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options,” it added.
The State Dept is now urging US citizens to leave Ukraine:
“U.S. citizens in Ukraine should consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options.” pic.twitter.com/a1OuNVTxoC
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) January 23, 2022
Russia has positioned more than 100,000 military members along the border of Ukraine with no current plans to de-escalate despite pressure from the U.S. and the international community.
“President Biden has been clear with the Russian President: If any Russian military forces move across the Ukrainian border, that’s a renewed invasion, and it will be met with a swift, severe, and united response from the United States and our Allies,” Psaki said during a press briefing on Thursday.
“President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyber-attacks and paramilitary tactics,” she added.
The strong words do not appear to be having much impact, leaving Americans in need of a swift departure to avoid being caught in a possible military invasion.
