Canadians urged to leave Ukraine 'now' amid increasing threat of Russian invasion
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is urging Canadians to leave Ukraine as the threat of a Russian invasion escalates.
鈥淎s 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,鈥 Joly said Friday evening.
The plea comes as the Biden administration issued a new warning Friday about a possible Russian invasion, saying it could take place within days.
鈥淪imply put, we continue to see very troubling signs of Russian escalation, including new forces arriving at the Ukrainian border,鈥 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters Friday. 鈥淲e're in a window when an invasion could begin at any time and, to be clear, that includes during the Olympics.鈥
The U.S. has not detailed specific reasons behind the newest alert. Americans are being urged to leave the country within the next 48 hours.
Russia has amassed more than 100,000 soldiers near Ukraine in recent weeks while escalating demands that Ukraine and other former Soviet countries stay out of the Western NATO military alliance.
Russia previously invaded and annexed Ukraine鈥檚 Crimean Peninsula in 2014, and has also backed armed separatists in eastern Ukraine, who have seized vast swathes of territory in a conflict that has claimed an estimated 13,000 lives.
Earlier in the week, the Canadian government recommending avoiding all travel to Ukraine due to the risk of armed conflict. Previously, Global Affairs Canada advised against non-essential travel. Families of Canadian diplomatic staff were ordered to leave on Jan. 25.
鈥淥ur diplomatic and consular staff remain on the ground, and stand ready to provide consular assistance to Canadian citizens, as required,鈥 Joly said Friday. 鈥淗owever, our ability to do so could become severely limited.鈥
Global Affairs Canada is urging Canadians in Ukraine to sign up with the government鈥檚 Registration of Canadians Abroad service. The Canadian embassy in Kyiv can be contacted at KYIV-Consular@international.gc.ca. Twenty-four-hour emergency consular assistance is available at sos@international.gc.ca, by phone at 613-996-8885, or by text at 613-686-3658.
With files from the Associated Press
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