Washington, February 14. INTERFAX - The United States is temporarily transferring its embassy in Ukraine from Kiev to Lviv for security reasons, diplomats will return as soon as possible, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday.
"Currently, we are temporarily transferring the work of our embassy in Ukraine from Kiev to Lviv due to the sharp acceleration of Russia's military buildup (near Ukraine - IF)," Blinken said in a statement issued by the State Department.
"We hope to return our employees to the embassy as soon as conditions allow," the Secretary of State added.
Blinken stressed that he had ordered such measures to be taken for the safety of employees of the US diplomatic mission.
According to him, the embassy will continue to interact with the authorities of the republic and will continue to make efforts to de-escalate the situation around Ukraine.
"We continue our sincere efforts to reach a diplomatic solution and continue contacts with the Russian government after President Biden's conversation with President Putin, as well as my conversation with Foreign Minister Lavrov," the head of the State Department said.
The Secretary of State once again stated that the path to diplomacy remains open if "Russia chooses to cooperate in good faith"
Blinken again called on all US citizens remaining in Ukraine to leave the country immediately.
On February 12, the US State Department issued an order on the departure from Ukraine of most employees of the American Embassy in connection with the tense security situation.
"The Embassy will maintain a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine, to address emergencies, but will not be able to provide passport, visa or ordinary consular services," the message emphasized.
