Turkey is moving its embassy in Ukraine from the capital, Kiev, to Chernivtsi amid reports of an alleged "Russian assault" on the capital city, Turkish media quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic as saying.

Turkey, a NATO member that has maritime borders with Russia and Ukraine in the black sea, had a diplomatic row with Russia over Ankara delivering its homemade combat drones, the Bayraktar TB-2, to Ukraine, which Kiev is now using against Russia in the latter's special military operation in Ukraine.

Despite the arms deal, Ankara still wanted to maintain good relations with Moscow, which it depends on for tourism, wheat, and energy supplies.

Ankara, whose diplomatic mission is among the few still operating in Ukraine, hosted talks between Moscow and Kiev in Antalya with hopes of simmering down tensions between the two parties.

Several nations had relocated their diplomatic staff within Ukraine and others repatriated their embassy staff. Many nations also called on their nationals to leave Ukraine altogether.

Read: Which countries have asked their nationals to leave Ukraine?
 

Washington had taken a decision to relocate US embassy staff in Ukraine, as revealed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said the diplomatic mission would be relocated from Kiev to Lvov as NATO rose tensions in the region.

Canada and Australia's embassies suspended their operations to open temporary offices in Lvov.