Ukraine urged citizens to evacuate Russia immediately, in fears that if Russia invades, providing consular services could become complicated, as per AFP. 

The agency quoted their ministry’s statement, “Because of the escalating Russian aggression against Ukraine, which can lead to a substantial reduction in possible consular assistance in Russia, the foreign ministry urges the citizens of Ukraine to refrain from travel to Russia, and for those in that country to leave its territory immediately”. 

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Previously, the USA had also sent out a notice to Americans in Russia to evacuate, fearing that there might be aggression along the Russia-Ukraine border, in the event of an invasion. 

The situation at the Ukrainian border has been growing tenser with Russia refusing to withdraw its troops while diplomatic talks continue with NATO countries, in the hopes of deescalating the situation. 

While Russia has rubbished all claims of a planned invasion, the US has remained steadfast in its belief that the Vladimir Putin-led government will invade Ukraine. President Joe Biden’s US government accordingly evacuated the embassy in Kyiv and instructed Americans in Ukraine to leave since military extraction wouldn’t be possible if Russia invaded Ukraine. 

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Further, there were reports that Russia might leverage the pro-Russian separatist-controlled territories, to enter Ukraine. The recent formal recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk, on part of Russia, seems to be a step in this direction. 

Throughout this situation, Russia has remained firm in its demands that Ukraine’s entry into NATO be blocked by the member nations, and that the organization should reduce its military presence in eastern Europe. 

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Amid the rising pressures, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK initially told BBC that the country might give in to Russia’s demands and drop the proposal to join NATO to avoid a war. However, the ambassador later backpedalled and clarified that Ukraine remained intent on joining the organization.