The stampede from the embassies in Ukraine starts after the announcement by the United States of an imminent attack on Russia, which could take place as early as February 16. And almost all EU countries invite their compatriots to leave the country.
Even the Crisis Unit of the Farnesina, "in consideration of the current situation", invites "as a precaution" all Italians "to temporarily leave Ukraine with the commercial means available". There are about 2 thousand Italians who are in the country, almost all of them in Kiev.
"Furthermore, considering the situation of uncertainty at the borders, it is recommended to postpone all non-essential trips to Ukraine and to keep constantly updated on the media and on this site - reads the website of Viaggiare Sicuri managed by the Crisis Unit of the ministry -. If present in the country, as recommended in recent weeks, please register on the website www.dovesiamonelmondo.it and download the 'Crisis Unit' APP. Please note that travel in any capacity to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the Crimea is not recommended. In case of need, the Italian Embassy in Kiev is operational ". Even "non-essential" diplomatic personnel will leave Kiev immediately, the ministry said.
Italy thus aligned itself with the decisions taken by other European countries. The same indication came for the Spaniards, the Dutch, the Belgians and the Germans.
"German citizens whose presence is not imperative must in the short term leave Ukraine where a military conflict cannot be ruled out", the Foreign Ministry recommended, underlining that "tensions between Russia and Ukraine have further increased in recent days. due to the presence and massive movements of Russian military units near the Ukrainian borders ”.
US AND RUSSIA EMBASSIES EVACUATED - The United States has evacuated the embassy, ordering almost all staff to leave the country, where all consular services will be suspended from Sunday. Only a small diplomatic contingent will remain in Lviv "to manage emergencies".
