France Advises Nationals Against Non-essential Travel to Ukraine

France's authorities urged nationals to avoid travelling to Ukraine unless they have an essential reason, the foreign ministry revealed on Monday.

As the Russian military continues to build up its military on Ukraine’s border, "it is recommended to exercise heightened vigilance", the ministry said in a statement.

"It is strongly recommended to avoid border areas in the north and the east of the country," the statement read.

The minister also called on the nationals to postpone any travel to Ukraine that is not essential or urgent.

In the same vein, Britain's foreign ministry said it was withdrawing some staff and their relatives from its embassy in Ukraine in response to the "growing threat from Russia".

Moreover, Australia's foreign ministry has also advised citizens not to travel to Ukraine, directing dependents of Australian embassy staff in Kyiv to leave the country.

On Sunday, the US State Department issued a travel advisory warning Americans not to travel to Russia "due to ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine".

In response, Ukraine's foreign ministry said the US move was "premature", calling it "a display of excessive caution".