Invasion Imminent? Ukraine Asks Citizens To Leave Russia Immediately

Kyiv: Ukraine seems to have reconciled to the reality that a Russian invasion is imminent.

The government on Wednesday warned its citizens to leave Russia immediately if they are already there and avoid travelling to that country, CNBC reported.

The Ukrainian government also decided to impose sanctions on 351 Russian lawmakers after President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is always open to diplomacy but interests of its citizens are non-negotiable.

Putin earlier recognized the independence of two self-declared regions in Ukraine and ordered troops into eastern Ukraine.

Russia’s embassy in Kyiv has also started evacuating its diplomats from Ukraine, Russian news agency TASS and AFP reported.

According to spokesperson Maria Zakharova, it was due to ‘multiple attacks’ on Russian diplomatic missions across Ukraine and ‘aggressive actions’ against Russian diplomats.