Ukraine tensions: Many countries tell nationals to leave over Russia threat

A number of countries have urged their citizens to flee Ukraine as fears of a Russian invasion rise. All British nationals “should leave now while commercial ways are still available,” according to the British foreign office.

Following a meeting of Nato leaders, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the alliance was “unified and prepared for every situation.”

Despite massing more than 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, Russia has repeatedly denied any ambitions to invade the country.

However, it has recently launched large-scale military exercises with Belarus, and Ukraine has accused Russia of obstructing its access to the sea.

The Kremlin has stated that it intends to enforce “red lines” in order to prevent its former Soviet neighbor from joining Nato.

The Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea are among the countries urging their nationals to depart. Latvia noted “a major threat to security presented by Russia” in its warning.

In the event of Russian intervention, the US has also advised its residents to leave, with President Biden stating that no soldiers would be sent to rescue any citizens left behind.

New Russian military have arrived at the border, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“We’re in a window where an invasion may start at any time,” he warned, “and to be clear, that includes during the Olympics.” On February 20th, the Winter Olympics will come to a conclusion.

The current crisis in Ukraine is being defused through diplomatic efforts.

Ben Wallace, the UK’s defence secretary, told his Russian counterpart that a Russian invasion of Ukraine would have “tragic implications” for both countries. Sergei Shogiu, on the other hand, claimed that rising military tensions in Europe were “not our fault.”

The current tensions are the result of Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula eight years ago. Since then, Ukraine’s military has been fighting Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, close to Russia’s borders.