WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — As fears of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine ratchet higher, the U.S. has instructed most of its employees to evacuate the country’s embassy in Kyiv.
The U.S. State Department said Saturday on its website that it will suspend consular services at the U.S embassy on Sunday, Feb. 13.
It will not be able to provide passport, visa or routine consular services, but the Embassy will maintain a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine, to handle emergencies, the State Department said.
U.S. citizens can seek consular services at embassies in neighboring countries. Citizens needing emergency assistance in Ukraine can complete an online form.
Washington has been ratcheting up its warnings of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, with officials saying on Friday that one could happen any day.
On Friday, the Pentagon said it will send another 3,000 combat troops to Poland to join the 1,700 who are already assembling there to show American commitment to NATO allies. The troops will leave their Fort Bragg, North Carolina, post over the next couple of days and a Department of Defense official said they should be in Poland by early next week.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the temporary repositioning of the 160 Florida National Guard members who have been deployed to Ukraine since late November, Pentagon press secretary John F. Kirby said Saturday. Those troops had been advising and mentoring Ukrainian forces as part of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, Kirby said in a statement.
The National Guard members will depart Ukraine and go to a different location in Europe.
“The secretary made this decision out of an abundance of caution — with the safety and security of our personnel foremost in mind — and informed by the State Department’s guidance on U.S. personnel in Ukraine,” Kirby said. “This repositioning does not signify a change in our determination to support Ukraine’s armed forces, but will provide flexibility in assuring allies and deterring aggression.”