(Fwrd Axis) — The U.S. State Department said on Sunday Americans should consider leaving Ukraine and non-emergency diplomatic employees were authorized to evacuate amid Russia’s continued military presence along the country’s border.
Family members were required to depart but others covered by the travel advisory were not, according to an advisory on Sunday.
In an advisory on Sunday, the State Department issued a travel warning that described it as Level 4, or “do not travel,” which advises Americans not to go to Ukraine. The advisory cited “the increased threats of Russian military action.”
The news comes as President Joe Biden said military action by Russia could be imminent. However, the state department’s advisory said this does not mean the United States believes an invasion will definitely happen.
“The U.S. government will not be in a position to evacuate us, citizens,” the State Department said. “So U.S. citizens currently present in Ukraine [should] plan accordingly, including by availing themselves of commercial options, should they choose to leave the country and commercial options are available now.”
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.