US tells Americans in Ukraine to depart as war looms
The US has advised all its citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately, citing increased threats of Russian military action against Ukraine.
US president Joe Biden did not mince his words when speaking to NBC about the evacuation advisory.
"American citizens should leave now," Biden said...
The US has advised all its citizens in Ukraine to leave immediately, citing increased threats of Russian military action against Ukraine.
US president Joe Biden did not mince his words when speaking to NBC about the evacuation advisory.
"American citizens should leave now," Biden said as reported by Reuters.
"We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly," he added.
Asked whether there was a scenario that could prompt him to send troops to rescue fleeing Americans, Biden replied: "There's not."
"That's a world war when Americans and Russia start shooting at one another.
"We're in a very different world than we've ever been," he said.
Talks failed
Meanwhile the US State Department said Americans should also refrain from travelling to the UK.
While Russia has denied planning to invade Ukraine, it has amassed more than 100,000 soldiers near Ukraine's borders, raising fears of a war.
The two countries have engaged in diplomatic talks in Berlin, Germany, aimed at diffusing tensions.
However, it appears the talks have failed, with Russia saying it had not been possible to reconcile Russia and Ukraine's different interpretations of a 2015 agreement aimed at ending fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces.
- Reuters
