United States Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine

By  Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC TIMES

The United States is closing the US Embassy in Kyiv and relocating diplomatic personnel in the country to the western Ukraine city of Lviv as fears of Russian invasion rise. 

“I have no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans around the world, and that, of course, includes our colleagues serving at our posts overseas. My team and I constantly review the security situation to determine when prudence dictates a change in posture. With that in mind, we are in the process of temporarily relocating our Embassy operations in Ukraine from our Embassy in Kyiv to Lviv due to the dramatic acceleration in the buildup of Russian forces.”

– U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken

The secretary of state said the  embassy will remain engaged with the Ukrainian government, coordinating diplomatic engagement in Ukraine. “We are also continuing our intensive diplomatic efforts to deescalate the crisis,” Blinken said.  He added that “these prudent precautions”  in no way undermine “our support for or our commitment to Ukraine.”  Blinken said  the U.S. is continuing  “our sincere efforts” to reach a diplomatic solution, and remains engaged with the Russian government following President Biden’s call with President Putin and Blinken’s discussion with Foreign Minister Lavrov.

“The path for diplomacy remains available if Russia chooses to engage in good faith. We look forward to returning our staff to the Embassy as soon as conditions permit,”    – U.S. Secretary of State Blinken 

Department of State Directs Embassy Staff to Depart Ukraine immediately 

Last Friday, the Department of State  directed most remaining embassy staff still located in Ukraine to depart the country immediately. The Department also advised  that American citizens should leave immediately via commercial means or private vehicle.  The US has suspended consular services at Embassy Ukraine, so American citizens will not be able to secure routine support with passport issues, visa services, any of the other routine consular services that it customarily provides from its embassies.