Fearing Russian Invasion, UK Moves Embassy Operations In Kyiv, Urges Its Citizens To Leave Ukraine

JAKARTA - The British Foreign Office said on Friday its embassy from Kyiv and asked its nationals to leave Ukraine, as long as commercial travel is available.

The British Embassy in Kyiv was moved temporarily, with staff operating from the embassy office in Lviv, the ministry said. Previously, the United States also moved its embassy operations to the city.

"Any Russian military action in Ukraine will severely affect the ability of the British government to provide consular assistance in Ukraine," the ministry said.

"British citizens should not expect increased consular support or assistance for evacuations under these circumstances."

Meanwhile, the Office for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) has announced that British officials will be "temporarily" moving from the Ukrainian capital to Lviv in the west of the country.

The announcement of the decision to move the Ukraine-based diplomat to Lviv, near the border with Poland, said in a statement posted on Gov.uk: "The British embassy office in Kyiv has been temporarily relocated. Embassy staff operate from the British embassy office in Lviv."

To note, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will depart for Germany on Saturday to join world leaders at the Munich Security Conference, where he is expected to promote unity among western nations, in their approach to punishing the Kremlin if it orders Russian troops. to Ukraine.