Japan, Netherlands advise nationals to leave Ukraine
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The Asian island has raised the risk level to maximum, and the Netherlands has set up an emergency center so that Dutch citizens can apply for urgent documents or information.
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Japanese Foreign Minister
The Japanese Foreign Ministry upgraded its risk for citizens in Ukraine as tensions are on the rise.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry announced that "the situation remains unpredictable." The Ministry added that "while many countries continue their diplomatic efforts, there is a growing possibility that the situation could escalate dramatically. In this regard, it was decided to increase the level of danger for Ukraine to four."
The report noted that flights to the country may be suspended due to ongoing tensions.
Japanese currently in Ukraine were advised to leave "immediately by all safe means, including commercial flights," and advised its citizens to avoid travel to Ukraine under any circumstance.
According to Kyodo news agency, the Japanese Prime Minister's office formed an emergency headquarters to coordinate actions and gather info on developments in Ukraine.
The Netherlands urges its citizens to leave too
The Dutch authorities also urged their citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible according to BNR News Radio.
Dutch Ambassador to Kiev, Jennes de Mol, said it is not an evacuation but a recommendation. An emergency center is being set up in the city of Lviv so that Dutch citizens could apply for urgent documents or information.
A number of Western nations announced the withdrawal of their diplomatic posts from Ukraine in January. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned on Thursday that Moscow may potentially encourage non-essential workers at its diplomatic posts in Kiev to leave the country. He emphasized that Russia is concerned about the evacuations of personnel by the United Kingdom and the United States, as it appears that "there were preparations for something" in Ukraine.
The West has repeatedly accused Russia of a military buildup on its borders with Ukraine, citing "aggressive action" as the "motive", accusations Moscow repeatedly denied, whilst maintaining its right to defend its security.
