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Rabat – After declaring a nationwide state of emergency amid escalating tensions and growing fears of a full-blown Russian attack, the Ukrainian government is now calling on its nationals to “immediately” leave Russia before tensions worsen in the coming days.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said citizens in Russia should leave the country due to “increased Russian aggression against Ukraine which, among other things, may lead to a significant restriction of the ability to provide consular assistance” to Ukrainians.
Over 2.5 million Ukrainians reside in Russia, according to the Moscow Times.
On Monday, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow’s recognition of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, as “independent” territories.
There are also reports that the Russian leader has ordered troops into the two areas to “keep peace” and protect the regions’ pro-Russia populations from attacks by the Ukrainian army.
In response, Ukraine has declared a nationwide state of emergency and called for help from its Western allies. While the US and other NATO countries appear to be determined to stand up to Putin, the Russian president has appeared to be equally determined to maintain tensions to get reassurances from the West about Russia’s “indivisible security.”
In his latest declarations, President Putin notably said that Russia’s security is non-negotiable.
Read also: Ukraine Calls for Immediate Halt of Nord Stream 2 Project Amid Russian Attack
Following US President Biden’s warning of a Russian invasion in Ukraine, Putin said: “Russia was always open for direct and honest dialogue.”
Putin’s remarks sparked concerns, not only from Ukraine but also in the international community.
Biden has vowed to cut off the Russian government from Western financing if Putin continues to escalate tensions with Ukraine.
Beyond the political world, other global voices have called for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the deepening crisis. Urging the West and Russia to enter productive dialogue to solve the Ukraine crisis, Pope Francis said the threat of war in Ukraine caused him a “great pain.”
As Western countries consider sanctions that could get Putin to reconsider his Ukraine plans, Germany has announced the halting of the large-scale Europe-Russia pipeline Nord Stream 2 Project.
The EU has also put in place a host of measures against Russian banks and individuals, the BBC reported.
Following suit, the UK has announced sanctions against Russian banks and promised to soon impose travel bans on three Russian billionaires.
Canada, Japan, and Australia also announced measures against Russia’s moves.
But it remains to be seen whether these mostly economic sanctions will deter President Putin from following through with his plans to annex Ukraine’s pro-Russian regions.
