For Safety Reason, United States Moves Embassy Operations From Kyiv To Lviv

JAKARTA - The United States is relocating Embassy operations in Ukraine from the capital Kyiv to the western city of Lviv, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said Monday, citing a "dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian troops."

The move comes as U.S. officials warn Moscow's continued build-up of more than 100,000 troops, near Russia's border with Ukraine and in neighboring Belarus, which could launch devastating attacks at any time, including in Kyiv.

However, Moscow has repeatedly denied Western accusations that it is planning an invasion of its neighbor.

"An attack on Ukraine that could cause massive violence, massive destruction, and loss of life will not differentiate between Americans, Ukrainians, or others," State Department spokesman Ned Price told a news briefing.

Minister Blinken said in a statement the decision to move embassy operations to Lviv, about 50 miles (80 km) from Ukraine's western border with Poland, was taken because of concerns for staff safety.

Most embassy staff have been ordered to leave Ukraine, while US citizens have been advised to leave the country by commercial means.

Minister Blinken said the relocation of the embassy operation "totally undermines US support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity", although US diplomats will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government. The United States continues to press Moscow for a diplomatic resolution, he said.

While Price told reporters, "it's not clear to us whether Russia is interested in pursuing a diplomatic course."

Washington, Price said, noting comments made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an online meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow will continue diplomatic efforts to secure security guarantees from the West.

"What we haven't noticed are indications of de-escalation," by Russian forces, Price continued.

The embassy's operational relocation, he said, was based on an assessment "from what we are seeing on the ground with our own eyes, which is a continuing and unwarranted buildup of Russia."

"It is a different possibility, perhaps more real than before, that Russia may decide to continue military action," he said.

It should be noted that the top US diplomat in Ukraine, Charge d'Affaires Kristina Kvien, will work from Lviv, while the US mission in Kyiv will be protected by the Ukrainian National Guard Police, Price said.