Topline
The United States is preparing to approve the evacuation of some American diplomats and their families from Ukraine, ABC News reported Saturday, as fears mount that Russia may launch an invasion.
Civilians join a Kyiv Territorial Defence unit for training in a forest in Kyiv, Ukraine, on January … [+]
Key Facts
Unnamed sources told ABC News that the U.S. State Department is weighing two options: an authorized or an ordered departure.
The former would allow some embassy staff and families of diplomats to leave, whereas the latter would require them to do so.
Friday, CNN reported the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv had requested the State Department to approve the evacuation of nonessential staff and their families in Ukraine, and that the U.S. had informed Ukraine evacuations of families of diplomats will “likely” begin “as early as next week.”
President Joe Biden left the White House on Friday to spend the weekend at Camp David, where he will discuss with his national security advisers how to navigate the standoff with Moscow.
A State Department spokesperson said in an email to Forbes it does not have anything to announce at this time, and that it is conducting “rigorous contingency planning, as we always do” in case “the security situation deteriorates.”
Key Background
American officials have said Moscow has massed around 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders and could launch an attack at any point. In hopes of easing tensions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met in Geneva on Friday, with both sides agreeing to continue talks after the U.S. provides written responses to Russia’s demands next week. Moscow has demanded NATO reduce its presence in the region and promise not to admit Ukraine and Georgia to the alliance. The U.S. and NATO allies have said the latter is off the table.
Further Reading
US preparing to approve evacuation from embassy in Ukraine: Sources (ABC News)
US Embassy in Kyiv asks State Dept. to authorize departure of nonessential personnel (CNN)
U.S. Reportedly Considers Evacuating Family Members Of Diplomats In Ukraine As Russia Amasses Troops On Border (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisakim/2022/01/22/us-reportedly-preps-to-approve-evacuation-of-american-diplomats-and-their-families-from-ukraine-as-russia-tensions-intensify/