The United Kingdom and the United States of America have
called on their citizens currently in Ukraine to leave the country immediately.
There have been tensions between Ukraine and Russia with
concerns over threats of invasion.
The crisis stems from the protracted Russia-Ukrainian war
that began in early 2014.
Russia had annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and allegedly
threw its weight behind a separatist rebellion after then-President Viktor
Yanukovych was ousted.
In a previous statement, the UK foreign, commonwealth, and
development office had advised its citizens against “all but essential travel”
to Ukraine.
But in a statement on Friday, the UK government said it is
now advising its citizens against all travel to the country.
“The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office today
(Friday 11 February) updated its travel advice to Ukraine, and is now advising
British nationals against all travel to Ukraine,” the statement reads.
“British nationals
currently in Ukraine should leave now while commercial means are still
available.”
According to the statement, a spokesperson of the office
said its travel advice was updated because the safety and security of British
nationals is top priority.
The UK government also said British nationals who choose to
remain in Ukraine should keep their departure plans under constant review, and
ensure their travel documents are up to date.
Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, US national security adviser, has
also urged Americans to leave the country.
He said although the US does not have definitive information
that an invasion has been ordered by President Vladimir Putin of Russia, all
the pieces were in place for a major military operation that could start
“rapidly”.
“The risk is high enough and the threat is now immediate
enough that prudence demands that it is the time to leave now,” Sullivan said.
The US had previously disclosed that Russia could invade
Ukraine “any time now”.
In an interview, Sullivan had said “there is a very distinct
possibility that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine”.
“It could take a
number of different forms. It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take
some weeks yet,” he added.
On its part, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)
has advised Nigerians in Ukraine to be security conscious.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com