Orders U.S. Embassy family members to depart Kyiv raises travel warning for Ukraine and Russia

On Sunday night, the US State Department instructed family members of US government workers in the US Embassy in Kyiv to leave the Ukrainian capital, as well as allowing non-essential public officials to leave voluntarily.

The embassy explained that "authorized departure allows this personnel the opportunity to leave if they desire; their departure is not compulsory." "Ordered family departure necessitates the departure of family members from the nation.

The State Department's resolution is a specific caution, according to the embassy's latest social media post, "because to persistent Russian efforts to destabilize the nation and threaten the protection of Ukrainian residents and those visiting or residing in Ukraine."

It said that the U.S. Embassy Kyiv “remains open” and that consular services according to COVID-19 restrictions will continue without change or impact a “commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to Russia’s deeply troubling build-up of forces in and around Ukraine.

"We continued to reiterate our support for the Ukrainian people," the statement added, "while remaining dedicated to one of the Department's top objectives, the safety, and protection of our diplomats and the American people."

24 Jan 2022