₦airaland Forum

According to SPIEGEL information, both the US secret service CIA and the US military informed the Federal Government and other NATO states over the course of Friday that, based on new information, there were fears that the attack could take place as early as next Wednesday, February 16.

According to several diplomats and military officials, the United States gave many details about the secret briefings. Routes for the Russian invasion were specifically described, as well as individual Russian units and what tasks they were to take on. February 16 was given as the possible date for the start of the invasion.

BREAKING:

President Biden spoke with President Vladimir Putin today to make clear that if Russia further invades Ukraine, the U.S. and our allies will impose swift and severe costs on Russia. President Biden urged President Putin to engage in de-escalation and diplomacy instead.

US embassy in Kyiv orders non-emergency staff to leave Ukraine

Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19; those in Ukraine should depart immediately via commercial or private means. If remaining in Ukraine, exercise increased caution due to crime, civil unrest, and potential combat operations should Russia take military action. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

On February 12, 2022, the Department of State ordered the departure of most U.S. direct hire employees from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action. U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine, and those in Ukraine should depart immediately using commercial or other privately available transportation options. The Department previously authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members on January 23, 2022.

As of Sunday, February 13, 2022, the Department of State will suspend consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The Embassy will maintain a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine to handle emergencies, but will not be able to provide passport, visa or routine consular services. U.S. citizens may seek these services at U.S. Embassies in neighboring countries. U.S. citizens seeking emergency assistance in Ukraine should complete this online form and the State Department will respond.

U.S. citizens who decide to remain in Ukraine and who do not depart immediately as advised, should also complete this online form so that we may better communicate with you.

There are continued reports of a Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine, indicating potential for significant military action against Ukraine. The security conditions, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice. Demonstrations, which have turned violent at times, regularly occur throughout Ukraine, including in Kyiv.

U.S. citizens in Ukraine should be aware that the U.S. Government will not be able to evacuate U.S. citizens in the event of Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine. Military action may commence at any time and without warning and would also severely impact the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens in departing Ukraine. For more information, please review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas.

Crimea – Do Not Travel

Russia occupies and has attempted to annex Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula, and there is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea. Occupation authorities continue to abuse and arbitrarily imprison foreigners and the local population, particularly individuals who are seen as opposing Russia’s occupation of the peninsula. The U.S. government prohibits its employees from traveling to Crimea and is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Crimea.

Donetsk and Luhansk – Do Not Travel

Russia-led forces control areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, where the ongoing armed conflict has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths. Individuals, including U.S. citizens, have been threatened, detained, or kidnapped for hours or days after being stopped at checkpoints controlled by Russia-led forces. The U.S. government restricts U.S. direct hire employees from traveling to the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and adjacent regions, which limits the ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these regions.

Crime targeting foreigners and property is common. Politically targeted assassinations and bombings have also occurred. There are reports of violent attacks on minority groups and police by radical groups.

The Netherlands

The security situation in Ukraine has deteriorated further. That is why we call on Dutch people to leave the Country as soon as possible and not to travel to Ukraine again.

There is now a red travel advice for all in Ukraine. The advice is also that Dutch nationals who are still in Ukraine register with the information service of Foreign Affairs.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

GERMANY - Current

Warnings are given against traveling to Ukraine.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have continued to rise in recent days amid the massive presence and movements of Russian military units near Ukraine's borders. A military conflict cannot be ruled out.

GK Donetsk (in Dnipro) is temporarily closed with immediate effect.

If you are currently in Ukraine, check if your presence is mandatory. If not, leave at short notice.

Follow the international and local media and look out for local announcements.

Register yourself in the crisis prevention list of the Federal Foreign Office .

In emergencies, Germans living in the district of the GK Donetsk should contact the Embassy in Kiev.

LATVIA

In view of a serious threat to security posed by Russia near the Ukrainian border and a credible threat of escalation of the situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Latvian nationals to depart from Ukraine in the near term. We suggest that any accessible safe means of transportation be used – flights or land routes to or via EU/NATO member states.

Latvian nationals who cannot leave Ukraine due to special circumstances are requested to register with the Consular Register at https://latvija.lv/lv/Epakalpojumi/EP139/Apraksts or apply to the Embassy of Latvia in Kyiv at https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/ukraine/vestnieciba, and follow information updates.

Given the serious nature of the situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travelling to Ukraine at the present time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also disseminating a warning by means of SMS to all mobile communication subscribers registered in Latvia who are currently staying in Ukraine.

The Embassy of Latvia in Ukraine is working to full extent and in an emergency mode.

New Zealand

The New Zealand Government is advising New Zealanders to leave Ukraine immediately, said Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta.

“In response to heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the New Zealand Government is advising New Zealanders in the Ukraine to leave immediately while there are commercial flights able to get them home,” said Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta today.

“Those registered on SafeTravel have been notified directly, and we encourage all Kiwis currently in the Ukraine not registered to do so immediately.

“Aotearoa New Zealand does not have diplomatic representation in Ukraine and the government’s ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders in Ukraine is therefore very limited. The security situation in Ukraine could change at short notice and New Zealanders should not rely on support with evacuating in these circumstances.

.@KLM confirms to @FoxNews it suspends flights to #Ukraine until further notice.

AUSTRALIA

We continue to advise do not travel to Ukraine due to the risk of armed conflict. If you're in Ukraine, you should leave immediately by commercial means if it's safe to do so. Flight availability could change or be suspended at short notice, making it difficult to leave Ukraine. Contact airlines or transport providers directly.

If, despite our advice, you remain in Ukraine, you're encouraged to register your whereabouts on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's registration portal for Australian citizens in Ukraine – see the 'Safety' section for details on how to register. Keep your registration details up to date to ensure we’re aware of your situation and so we can provide you with the latest information. This is important if you decide to remain. Continue to follow the advice on Smartraveller. You need to carefully consider how and when you’re going to leave Ukraine, including if armed conflict occurs. You’re responsible for your own safety and that of your family.

ISRAEL

As a result of the deterioration of the situation regarding Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry recommends Israeli citizens in Ukraine reconsider their stay in the country, and in any event, avoid approaching focal points of tensions

The Foreign Ministry recommends Israeli citizens planning on traveling to Ukraine to consider avoiding doing so at this time

The Foreign Ministry and Israel’s Embassy in Kiev call on Israeli citizens in Ukraine to register at this link: https://survey.gov.il/ru/israelinuk

The Foreign Ministry has decided to evacuate from the country the family members of diplomats and Israeli workers at the Embassy

KUWAIT

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry on Saturday
urged Kuwaiti citizens planning to travel to Ukraine to delay the travel for the time being"

The Ministry, in a statement, called on the Kuwaiti nationals, currently present in Ukraine, to leave the country instantly "for sake of their safety."

CANADA

“As we continue to work closely with our partners and monitor the situation, I urge all Canadians in Ukraine to make the necessary arrangements to leave the country now.

“Since February 1, we have been urging Canadians to avoid all travel to Ukraine because of the ongoing Russian threats and the risk of armed conflict. We have also been asking Canadians already in Ukraine to leave while commercial means are still available. Our highest priority remains the safety and security of Canadians.

“Our diplomatic and consular staff remain on the ground and stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens as required. However, our ability to do so could become severely limited.

“Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance can contact the embassy by email at KYIV-Consular@international.gc.ca.

“I also urge all Canadians in Ukraine to sign up with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service, so that we can directly notify them of changes to the situation and share crucial information on how we can help them.

“Canadians should also frequently check the Travel Advice and Advisories for Ukraine for up-to-date information and advice.”

Press release - IRAQ

In the interest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the security and safety of the Iraqi community in Ukraine and as a result of the exceptional circumstances there, the Ministry urges the honorable community to leave the
Ukrainian lands and for citizens not to travel there for the sake of safety.

The ministry also directs the employees of the Iraqi Embassy in Kiev to take the annual leave in a way that ensures the safety of the mission personnel.

BELGIUM

All travel to Ukraine is strongly discouraged. Belgian citizens who are currently in Ukraine and whose presence is not absolutely necessary are strongly advised to leave the country. If this is not possible, it is recommended to register on Travellers Online(link is external) and to contact the Belgian Embassy in Kiev(This hyperlink opens a new window).

If the situation deteriorates, an evacuation from Ukraine cannot be guaranteed. It is therefore advisable to leave the country while you still can.

JAPAN

The Japanese foreign ministry said on Friday it had issued an advisory urging Japanese nationals in Ukraine to leave immediately.

Current affairs - FINLAND

Leave the country immediately on the existing commercial links due to the still tightened and unpredictable security situation.

The security situation in Europe is tense as Russia gathers forces towards Ukraine. The situation is unpredictable and can change quickly. If you are in the country, follow the information channels of the Kiev Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and make a travel report.

JORDAN

In light of the current developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has called on Jordanian citizens not to travel to Ukraine during this period. It also calls on citizens who are in Ukraine to leave the Country.

In a press statement today, Saturday, the Ministry renewed its call to citizens in Ukraine to register their data to communicate with them through the electronic link: https://mfa.gov.jo/ar/embassy/Ankara/form

SPAIN

In relation to the situation in Ukraine, trips to the country are discouraged and Spaniards who are there are recommended to consider the possibility of leaving it temporarily.

ITALY

UKRAINE: Security situation. Update
In consideration of the current situation, as a precaution, compatriots are invited to temporarily leave the country with the commercial means available .

Furthermore, given the uncertain situation at the borders, it is recommended to postpone all non-essential trips to Ukraine and to keep up to date on the media and on this website.
If present in the country, as recommended in recent weeks, please register on the website www.dovesiamonelmondo.it and download the "Crisis Unit" APP.

Please note that travel in any capacity to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the Crimea is not recommended.

SAUDI ARABIA

The Kingdom's embassy in Ukraine cals on all citizens to postpone their travel to Ukraine at the present time, and all citizens present in Ukraine should quickly communicate with the embassy.

Updated travel advice on Ukraine - ESTONIA

In light of the worrying situation on the border of Ukraine, @MFAestonia is updating its travel advice.

Due to an increased risk of military action by Russia, we recommend avoiding non-essential travel to Ukraine.

Estonian nationals currently in Ukraine are advised to reconsider the need to remain in the country and return to Estonia if possible.
We urge all Estonian nationals in Ukraine to register their stay at https://reisitargalt.vm.ee/registreeri-reis/

DENMARK:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now raising the level of security in the travel guide for Ukraine to red. Therefore, all travel to Ukraine is discouraged, and all Danes in Ukraine are encouraged to leave the country.

The change comes in light of the serious security situation in and around Ukraine.

It is still possible to leave Ukraine by regular air routes and by road and rail. It is not possible to say whether or when those opportunities may be curtailed, and Danes in Ukraine are therefore encouraged to leave the country. The Danish authorities can not guarantee assistance to Danes who choose to stay in Ukraine at a later date.

Like a number of countries, we have chosen to reduce the number of staff sent to the embassy. The families of the deportees are or will soon leave Ukraine.

The FCDO advise against all travel to Ukraine - UK

British nationals in Ukraine should leave now while commercial means are still available.

Since January 2022, the build-up of Russian forces on Ukraine’s borders has increased the threat of military action.

Due to the growing threat from Russia, the FCDO has taken the decision to temporarily withdraw some Embassy staff and their dependants from Kyiv. The Embassy remains open but will be unable to provide in-person consular assistance. British nationals should leave while commercial options remain.

Any Russian military action in Ukraine would severely affect the British Embassy Kyiv’s ability to provide any consular assistance. British Nationals should not expect increased consular support or help with evacuating in these circumstances.

SWEDEN

Due to changes in the security situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has today decided to advise against all travel to Ukraine and to urge Swedes who are in Ukraine to leave the country.

This decision replaces previous decisions in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised against all travel to the Crimean peninsula as well as the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and from unnecessary travel to the rest of Ukraine. This dissuasion has now been sharpened and also includes a call for Swedes who are in Ukraine to leave the country.

Swedes in Ukraine should take measures to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Swedes to check their travel documents and insurance terms and leave the country with the support of the available alternatives. Everyone arranges their own departure. A sharp deterioration in the security situation may limit the embassy's ability to provide consular support.

Swedes who participate in international initiatives are encouraged to contact their employers for further instructions.

The embassy estimates that around 200-300 Swedes are currently in the country.