Ukraine’s invasion by Russia is as a result of Ukraine’s accusation of Russia blocking its access to the sea and annexing Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula.
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The Russo-Ukrainian War, which began in February 2014 has been ongoing and protracted; primarily involving Russia and pro-Russian forces on one hand, and Ukraine on the other.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin said that the presence of Russian troops in the Crimean peninsula was to ensure proper conditions for the people of Crimea to be able to freely express their will; but Ukraine and other nations argue that such intervention is a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Russia is in a position to invade Ukraine at any time. Hence, the U.S government has urged American citizens to vacate immediately.
“The invasion could start with the aerial bombing that would make departures difficult and endanger civilians”, the White House said on Friday.
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Russia has repeatedly denied any plans to invade Ukraine despite massing more than 100,000 troops near the border.
Non-essential staff has been ordered to leave the US Embassy in Kyiv, the State Department announced in a release. Consular services will be suspended from Sunday, although the US will maintain a small consular presence in the city to handle emergencies”.
US officials had warned of a further build-up of Russian troops at Ukraine’s borders over the past week and planned Russian military exercises in the Black Sea in the coming days.
The US also said it was deploying a further 3,000 troops from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Poland, and that they were expected to arrive there next week. The troops will not fight in Ukraine but will ensure the defense of US allies.
The Kremlin says it wants to enforce “red lines” to make sure that its former Soviet neighbor does not join Nato.
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the bloc was “united and prepared for any scenario”.
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