AMN/ WEB DESK
The U.S. State Department has ordered its diplomats’ family members to leave Ukraine. It is one of the clearest signs yet that American officials are bracing for an aggressive Russian move in the region.
This comes against the backdrop of U.S. President Joe Biden weighing options for boosting America’s military assets in Eastern Europe to counter a buildup of Russian troops. The United States has sent military assistance to Ukraine but has so far held back from sending American personnel.
Tensions in Ukraine have been increasing for months after the Kremlin amassed some 100,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders. The West considers this as preparation for a war to prevent Ukraine from ever joining the NATO Western security alliance.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied planning to invade. But the Russian military already tore off a chunk of Ukrainian territory when it seized Crimea eight years ago.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has rebuffed calls to immediately impose economic sanctions on Russia, saying that doing so would undercut the West’s ability to deter potential Russian aggression against Ukraine.