Russian Military Action Could Happen At Any Time, US Orders Staff And Their Families From Embassy In Kiev To Leave

Kedutaan Besar AS di Kiev, Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Kholodovsky)

JAKARTA - The United States on Sunday ordered the departure of family members of staff at its embassy in Ukraine, citing continued threats of military action from Russia.

In addition, the US State Department also authorized the voluntary departure of US government employees, saying Americans should consider leaving immediately.

"We have consulted with the Ukrainian government about this step and are coordinating with Allied embassies and partners in Kyiv as they determine their stance," the embassy said, citing Reuters on January 24.

Russia has amassed troops near the border with Ukraine, fueling tensions with Western powers. Meanwhile, Moscow insists it has no plans to attack.

The US Embassy in Kyiv warned in a statement, "military action by Russia could come at any time, and the United States government would not be in a position to evacuate American citizens in such an emergency, so US citizens currently in Ukraine should plan appropriately."

Meanwhile, the State Department also said it authorized the "voluntary departure of US direct-hire employees." Later that evening, the ministry reissued its advisory warning Americans not to travel, citing "ongoing tensions along the border with Ukraine."

The ministry also added, "given the ongoing volatility of the situation, US citizens are strongly advised not to travel overland from Russia to Ukraine through this region."

However, State Department officials declined to say how many Americans are currently believed to be in Ukraine.

The US Embassy in Ukraine said the decision was made "with extreme caution, given Russia's continued efforts to destabilize the country and undermine the security of Ukrainian citizens, as well as others visiting or living in Ukraine."

However, the US Embassy in Kyiv continues to operate and Charge d'Affaires Kristina Kvien remains in Ukraine, State Department officials said.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported late Sunday that President Joe Biden was considering deploying several thousand US troops to NATO allies in Eastern Europe and the Baltics.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the New York Times report, but noted Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on Friday said, "we're going to make sure we have options ready to reassure our allies, especially in the eastern wing of NATO."

"If there's another attack and if they need that assurance, if they need the capability to back up, we're going to do that and we're going to make sure that we are, that we're ready to do that," Kirby said.

To note, US and Russian diplomats made no major breakthroughs in the talks held on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland.