Russia has started pulling diplomatic staff out of all its missions in Ukraine, the TASS news agency reported on Wednesday, citing a representative of the Russian Embassy in Kiev. The embassy and consulate general in Odessa were seen on Wednesday with the Russian flags lowered.
“Several cars left the consulate’s territory in the morning,” a member of the Ukrainian National Guard who was on duty near the Russian consulate in Odessa told Reuters.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced an evacuation of diplomatic officials from Ukraine for what it called security reasons on Tuesday, a day after President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine and ordered Russian troops to “keep the peace” there, while rallying troops along Ukrainian borders.
The United States and its allies unveiled further sanctions against Russia on Wednesday for its recognition of the two breakaway areas, while making it clear they were keeping tougher measures in reserve in the event of a full-scale invasion by Moscow.
Last week, a video showing smoke rising from the chimney of the Russian Embassy circulated online. An official said the team had burned documents before the match, TASS said on Wednesday.
“This is a common procedure. In cases like the one we have now, there is a set of measures that must be taken for security reasons,” the official said, according to the agency.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has asked President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to sever diplomatic ties with Russia in response to recognizing the independence of separatist-controlled regions. Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that he was evaluating the order.
Source: CNN Brasil
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