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The interim US ambassador to Ukraine told on Tuesday that an order was issued for diplomats’ families at the embassy to evacuate the country because Russia may attack “any day now.”
The statements were made by Kristina Kvien, the embassy’s charge d’affairs, after standing in the terrible cold with a Ukrainian deputy defense minister to accept a 79-ton delivery of American military supplies at Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport, which is designed to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
In view of the possibility of a Russian invasion, the US State Department ordered diplomats’ families to leave and permitted non-emergency personnel to leave if they so desired on Sunday, as Moscow massed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders. Ukraine’s government has slammed the decision as “premature” and “overly cautious.” The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany have subsequently followed suit in various versions, however, the bulk of European nations have stated that such a step is not needed at this time.
Kvien told that the decision to partially evacuate was made out of “abundance of caution,” considering the extent of Russia’s buildup.
“The decision was made because Vladimir Putin and Russia have amassed such military force on the border that they may launch an attack at any time,” she explained. “And with that in mind, we were compelled to ensure the safety of our embassy families out of an abundance of caution. So it was the starting point for a decision.”
According to Kvien, Russia has amassed so many troops that it “means Russia can do anything at any time.”
“It’s like a gun to Ukraine’s head,” she remarked. “And we don’t believe Ukraine should be forced to live with a loaded pistol to its head.”
Ukrainian authorities have publicly disputed with the United States’ judgment that a Russian strike may occur at any time. Hanna Malyar, deputy defense minister, said on Tuesday that the amount of Russian troops near the border is now “insufficient for a full-scale invasion.”
