“In the midst of the tensions caused by the stationing of Russian forces on the borders of Ukraine (…) it is advised not to travel to the border areas in the north and east of the country,” and “it is advised to postpone all flights to Ukraine,” the Foreign Ministry wrote on its website.
Other European countries, including Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, advised their nationals to leave Ukraine in the context of tensions on the Ukrainian border, after Washington confirmed, Friday, that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could happen “at any time.”
Also, EU institutions have recommended that their non-essential staff at diplomatic representation offices in Kiev leave Ukraine and work remotely from abroad.
On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, during a phone call, the “determination” of Western countries to “respond” if Moscow carried out a military operation in Ukraine, according to the Elysee.
For his part, President Joe Biden warned Putin, during a phone call Saturday, that the United States would “respond firmly and impose heavy and immediate costs on Russia” if it invaded Ukraine.