Ukraine news from February 11: US, UK among countries advising citizens to leave amid warnings of a potential Russian attack.
The United States has escalated its dire warnings about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying it could take place within days.
On Friday White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan instructed Americans in Ukraine to leave within the next 48 hours.
“As we’ve said before, we are in the window when an invasion could begin at any time should Vladimir Putin decide to order it,” Sullivan said.
Speaking earlier from an airbase in Romania, where the US has temporarily deployed soldiers, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned of “a real risk for a new armed conflict in Europe” and promised to reinforce its eastern flank.
Fears of war remain heightened as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions falter while Russia keeps more than 100,000 troops stationed near Ukraine and carries out military exercises in Belarus.
Moscow accused NATO of using the crisis as a “pretext” for increasing its military presence near Russia’s borders.