BELGIUM authorities urged its citizens to flee Ukraine earlier today, after the US warned that a Russian invasion of its neighbor might begin with aerial bombardments within days.
Belgium has joined the United States and a number of European countries in urging their nationals in Ukraine to flee the country in the event that war breaks out.
“Nationals who are currently in Ukraine and whose presence is not strictly necessary in the country are strongly advised to leave the country,” the Belgian foreign ministry said on its website.
It strongly cautioned against traveling to the country, noting that an evacuation seemed most likely impossible.
According to the ministry, in the event of a “sudden deterioration,” communication linkages such as the internet and telephone lines might be severely disrupted, as well as air links.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan yesterday, told reporters in Washington that an attack by Russia’s over 100,000 troops stationed near Ukraine “may happen any day now,” and that Americans in Ukraine “should depart as soon as possible.”
Non-essential workers from the European Union’s diplomatic mission in Ukraine have been advised to leave the country, although no evacuation order has been issued.
Several EU countries, including Estonia and Lithuania, have ordered their citizens to leave Ukraine.
