State Department Comments on Reports of Evacuation of US Embassy Staff in Ukraine

Germany is preparing to evacuate diplomats' families.

A senior US State Department official denied reports by several American media outlets that some US embassy staff in Ukraine had begun to be evacuated. 

An unnamed official said no evacuation order had been issued. Another State Department representative said the United States is currently carrying out careful planning for an emergency should the situation deteriorate. 

"We advise US citizens to stay informed about reports that Russia plans significant military action against Ukraine. If there is a decision to change our position regarding American diplomats and their families, American citizens should not expect evacuations supported by the US government. Commercial flights are currently available to support departures," a State Department representative said. 

Earlier, Fox News Pentagon journalist Lucas Tomlinson said that family members of American diplomats in Ukraine should be evacuated soon. 

"The State Department is instructing the families of US embassy staff in Ukraine to begin evacuating from the country as early as Monday (January 24 — ed.)," the journalist said. 

Germany's Federal Foreign Office is also working on a plan to evacuate relatives of German embassy staff in Ukraine. 

The evacuation plan will be implemented "in the event of further deterioration of the situation." It refers to the buildup of Russian military presence near Ukraine's borders and in occupied territories, and a possible Russian aggression against Ukraine. 

At the same time, Berlin rules out supplying weapons to Ukraine to counter the Kremlin's aggressive plans. 

Sources briefed on intelligence confirmed that the US has data on the Kremlin's plans regarding Ukraine similar to that of Britain. 

A source familiar with American and British intelligence confirmed that the US has evidence similar to Britain's regarding a Russian "plot" to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine. 

"Yes, we have seen intelligence indicating that Russia is looking for ways to reduce the costs of a prolonged war (in eastern Ukraine — ed.). This includes methods such as creating a friendly government and using spy agencies to destabilize the situation," the source said. 

Another source said the US "has the same information." White House National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne expressed solidarity with Ukraine and said the "plot" is causing "deep concern." 

Emily Horne
National Security Council spokesperson

The Ukrainian people have the sovereign right to determine their own future, and we support our democratically elected partners in Ukraine. 

The White House said President Joe Biden held a meeting with his national security team to discuss "Russia's continued aggressive actions against Ukraine." 

The president was briefed on the status of Russian military operations on Ukraine's borders and "discussed both ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and a range of deterrence measures being closely coordinated with allies and partners, including current security assistance deliveries to Ukraine." 

The White House statement said: "President Biden reaffirmed that in the event of further Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States will impose swift and severe consequences on Russia together with allies and partners."