Australia Halts Embassy Work in Kiev Over Security Concerns - Foreign Minister

© AFP 2023 / LUONG THAI LINHAustralia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne takes part in a meeting with her Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son at the Government Guest House in Hanoi on November 9, 2021
Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne takes part in a meeting with her Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son at the Government Guest House in Hanoi on November 9, 2021 - Sputnik International, 1920, 13.02.2022
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Australia is suspending operations of its embassy in Kiev and is moving diplomatic staff to a temporary office in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, amid concerns over the security situation, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Sunday.
"Given the deteriorating security situation caused by the build up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s border, the Government has directed the departure of staff at the Australian Embassy in Kyiv and temporarily suspended operations at our Embassy in Kyiv," Payne said in a statement.
The foreign minister added that Australia’s ability to provide consular assistance to its citizens in Ukraine could become limited.
"We will be moving our operations to a temporary office in Lviv," Payne specified, adding that Australians are being advised to leave Ukraine immediately as "security conditions could change at short notice."
On Saturday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that the Canadian embassy in Kiev was suspending operations, and that a temporary office was going to assist Canadians in the Ukrainian city of Lviv. Canadians were advised to leave Ukraine and avoid all travel to the country.
Earlier on Saturday, the German Federal Foreign Office updated its travel advice on Ukraine, calling on German citizens to terminate any non-essential stay as soon as possible. Similar advisories were issued by other countries, including New Zealand, Belgium and Finland.
The United States Capitol building, west facade, at dawn is seen in this general view , Monday, Jan. 27, 2020, in Washington, DC - Sputnik International, 1920, 12.02.2022
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