In the wake of the high state of tension between Russia and Ukraine, countries around the world called on their citizens to leave Ukraine.
The calls came as Washington warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come within the week and possibly before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Britain
The UK's Foreign Office advised, "against all travel" to the eastern European country, affirming that "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 border has increased the threat of military action," it stressed, adding that "any Russian military action in Ukraine would severely affect the British Embassy Kyiv's ability to provide any consular assistance".
It urged anyone choosing to stay in the country to "remain vigilant throughout due to potential combat operations" and to ensure their travel documents are up to date.
Canada
The federal government called on any Canadians still in Ukraine to leave the country now as Russia has enough troops massed to launch a major invasion.
"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," Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said in a media statement.
Japan
Japanese Foreign Ministry on Friday raised travel warning for Ukraine to the highest level, which urges all its nationals to evacuate from the country and avoid traveling there “regardless of purposes.”
“There is an increasing possibility that the situation could rapidly deteriorate,” the ministry said in the statement, noting that there are about 150 Japanese citizens in Ukraine.
Australia
Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the situation in Kiev as “very serious”, just hours after White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan warned an attack “could occur any day now”.
“Starting last year, we began to warn Australians who were in Ukraine to take their own decisions, to put themselves in a position of safety,” Morrison told a press conference on Saturday.
“We’ve continued that well into last month, and it has been our clear message for some time now that Australians in Ukraine should be seeking to get out of the country.”
Latvia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Latvian nationals to depart from Ukraine in the near term due to a credible threat of escalation of the situation with Russia.
"We suggest that any accessible safe means of transportation be used – flights or land routes to or via EU/NATO member states," the ministry said in a statement Friday evening.
Estonia
The Estonian foreign ministry has advised nationals to return home and avoid non-essential travel to the troubled nation due to “an increased risk of military action by Russia,” says the embassy’s statement.
Norway
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited the "serious and unpredictable security situation" as it called on its nationals to leave Ukraine.
It also advised against any trip to Russia "closer than 250 km from the Ukrainian border", and to Belarus, except the capital Minsk.
Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission's External Affairs service meanwhile told Euronews: "We continue to assess the situation as it develops, in line with the duty of care we have towards our staff and in close consultation and coordination with the EU Member States."
"We are not evacuating. For the time being, the non-essential staff has been given the opportunity to telework from outside the country," he added.
Finland
"Finland has renewed the tourist bulletin for Ukraine. The Foreign Ministry calls for immediately leaving the country over the ongoing escalation and uncertain security situation," the Finnish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Netherlands
The Dutch broadcaster BNR, quoting the Dutch ambassador in Kiev Jennes de Mol said his government had advised Dutch nationals in Ukraine to leave as soon as possible due to the security situation in the country.
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