Ukraine Calls US Embassy Staff Family Evacuation "Premature and Excessive Caution"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Ukrainian government has strongly criticized the U.S. State Department's evacuation order for the families of embassy staff stationed in Ukraine as excessive caution.

On the 24th (local time), Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Russia's Interfax news agency, "We have confirmed the U.S. State Department's decision regarding the departure of families of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and the information about allowing some staff to leave voluntarily," adding, "While we recognize the right of foreign countries to protect their diplomats, we consider the U.S. decision premature and an expression of excessive vigilance."

Spokesperson Nikolenko emphasized that there has been no sudden change in Ukraine's security situation recently, that threats from Russia have persisted since 2014, and that the buildup of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border began in April of last year. He explained, "The U.S. State Department's decision does not mean that all U.S. embassy staff are leaving Ukraine now; the embassy continues to operate normally," and "Embassy staff have been granted permission to leave if they wish, but their departure is not mandatory."

Nikolenko also stated, "A large amount of false information, misinformation, and fake news are spreading in Ukraine and the international media space to cause panic among Ukrainians and foreigners, alarm businesspeople, and undermine Ukraine's economic and financial stability," urging for rational risk assessment and maintaining composure.

A U.S. State Department official emphasized, "This measure does not mean the withdrawal of the U.S. Embassy, which will continue to operate," and "The U.S. government's support for Ukraine remains unchanged."

However, following the U.S., the United Kingdom also announced it will recall half of its embassy staff to their home country, raising concerns that a wave of embassy evacuations from various countries might be underway. The British BBC, citing a UK Foreign Office official, reported that in response to increasing threats from Russia, about half of the embassy staff and their families are scheduled to be recalled to the UK.