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Indian embassy in Kyiv asks citizens to leave Ukraine amid rising tensions with Russia
Russia-Ukraine crisis update: On Monday, the United States said it is relocating its embassy in Kyiv to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, due to the "dramatic acceleration" in the country.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine capital Kyiv on Tuesday asked its nationals, particularly students whose stay is not essential, to leave the country temporarily “in view of uncertainties of the current situation”.
“Indian nationals in Ukraine, particularly students whose stay is not essential, may consider leaving temporarily. Indian nationals are also advised to avoid all nonessential travel to and within Ukraine,” the Embassy of India in Kiev stated.
“Indian nationals are requested to keep the Embassy informed about the status of their presence in Ukraine to enable the Embassy to reach them where required," the letter read, adding that the embassy will “continue to function normally to provide all services to Indian nationals" in the country.
On Monday, the United States said it is relocating its embassy in Kyiv to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, due to the "dramatic acceleration" in the buildup of Russian forces at the country's border.
Also Read | ‘Diplomacy the only way’: UN chief expresses concern over Russia-Ukraine crisis
The US has already evacuated a majority of its staff at the US embassy in Kyiv after it ordered the departure of diplomats and halted consular services in the war-torn country.
Meanwhile, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has spoken to the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine, expressing "serious concern" over the heightened tensions between the countries and sought for diplomacy to defuse those tensions.
"He (Guterres) welcomed the ongoing diplomatic discussions to defuse those tensions and underline yet again the fact that there is no alternative to diplomacy," said spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
More than 1,00,000 Russian troops have been positioned near the Ukraine borders even as the Kremlin has denied plans of invasion, accusing the West of hysteria, for the flurry of officials sent to Moscow and Kyiv.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladamir Putin suggested that they will continue discussions with the West.
