Poland Opens Border To Americans Fleeing Ukraine As Fears Of Russian Invasion Rise

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The U.S. State Department said Saturday that Poland is now allowing Americans to enter the country by land from Ukraine without advance approval, as the U.S. encouraged its citizens to leave Ukraine immediately with Russian forces believed to be ready to invade the country at any moment.

Ukrainian servicemen participate in a drill near the Ukrainian border with Crimea. (Photo by … [+] Konstantin Sazonchik\TASS via Getty Images)

Konstantin Sazonchik/TASS

Key Facts

To enter Poland through the land border with Ukraine, U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport and proof of Covid-19 vaccination, the State Department said in a statement.

The U.S. is deploying 4,700 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Poland, where they’re expected to aid Americans evacuating from Ukraine by land, as well as provide security reassurance for Poland and other NATO members.

Exiting Ukraine by air could become more difficult: The State Department announcement came hours after Dutch flag carrier KLM said it was halting flights to and from Ukraine over concerns that a Russian invasion could be imminent, with other airlines likely to follow suit if the security situation continues to deteriorate.

Key Background

President Joe Biden told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during an hour-long phone call Saturday that a Russian attack on Ukraine would cause “swift and severe costs” for Moscow. He added Moscow will face “widespread human suffering” should it invade Kyiv. Tension at the Russia-Ukraine border was intensifying Saturday as U.S. officials urged Americans to leave Ukraine as soon as possible, saying Friday a Russian invasion could begin “any day now.” Around 130,000 Russian troops are deployed near the Ukrainian border in a buildup that began in the fall.

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