The message, broadcast on social networksis displayed in capital letters on a blue background: “Travel alert, the UK advises against all travel to Ukraine. British nationals in Ukraine must leave immediately. » Faced with the threat of an offensive by Russia, of which 125,000 men are massed on the Ukrainian borders, calls are increasing to encourage foreign nationals to leave the former Soviet republic. Friday, February 11, the United States was the first to take the plunge. In addition to the United Kingdom, at least thirty countries have imitated them since, including Germany, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Israel, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Kuwait and even Saudi Arabia.
“Everyone only talks about that in the expat communities, testifies Peter Dickinson, British researcher living in Kiev for twenty-two years. Many say they will stay, have a defiant attitude and find these measures exaggerated. But those who are afraid and want to leave may not speak out publicly., he nuances. In his family, the emergency suitcase is ready, but the decision to leave has not yet been made. “I don’t want to upset my children. If the borders are closed and the flights interrupted, we think of going to the West instead. »
“Save some water, food”
Many embassies have also decided to downsize. The United States ordered the departure of most of its personnel in Kiev, believing that a Russian offensive could “start at any time”. They will, however, maintain a consular presence in Lviv, in the west of the country. Canada has temporarily closed its embassy in Kiev and moved its operations, too, to a temporary office in Lviv, as has Australia, which is evacuating its last diplomats still stationed in Kiev. For their part, the institutions of the European Union have recommended that their non-essential staff in Kyiv should telecommute from abroad. Russia has also recalled some of its diplomatic staff, saying it wants ” to optimise “ his presence and fear ” Provocation ” of Ukraine or third parties.
The soldiers who form the Ukrainian troops are also packing up. The United States thus ordered the withdrawal of the 160 American soldiers who were training the Ukrainian forces for the “reposition elsewhere in Europe”Pentagon spokesman John Kirby announced on Saturday. “This repositioning does not constitute a change in our determination to support Ukrainian forces, but will provide some flexibility to reassure our allies and prevent any aggression”he added.
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