US warns its citizens to leave Ukraine as Russia could invade 'anytime'

Yesterday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Russia, deploying more troops near its border with Ukraine, could invade the country at any moment.

In a press conference, Blinken advised all American citizens to evacuate from Ukraine within 48 hours to avoid the risk of a potential invasion. Australia and New Zealand have also recently warned their citizens to leave the Eastern European country. US President Joe Biden said in an interview with NBC News on Thursday the situation in Ukraine "could go crazy quickly".

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has warned American citizens in Ukraine won't receive military evacuation if they choose to remain. He also cautioned a Russian "invasion could begin at any time".

Russia has denied it plans to invade Ukraine and called the Western response "a sign of diplomatic impoliteness and disrespect". Recent satellite images published by US-based Maxar Technologies show significant build-up of Russian troops along Ukraine's borders with western Russia, Russian-occupied Crimea, and Russian ally Belarus.

The United States Department of State declared it would terminate all visa and consular services to Ukraine from tomorrow, but maintain a 'small' consular presence in Lviv for emergency purposes.