Ukraine urges citizens to stay "calm and united" amid war fears
Ukraine urged its citizens on Saturday to keep calm and avoid panicking in the face of mounting worries that Russia is preparing to invade its neighbour. "At the moment, it is critically important to remain calm, to consolidate inside the country, to avoid destabilising actions and those that sow panic," the Ukrainian foreign ministry said in a statement.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 12:53 | 12 February 2022
- Modified Date: 01:47 | 12 February 2022
The Ukrainian government urged citizens on Saturday to stay calm and united, saying the armed forces are ready to repel any attack on the country amid concern that Russia may be poised to invade.
"It is now critical to remain calm and united within the country, and avoid actions that undermine stability and sow panic," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Ukraine's Armed Forces are constantly monitoring developments and are ready to repel any encroachment on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," it added.
Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine and the United States said on Friday an invasion could come at any time. Washington also urged its citizens in Ukraine to leave as soon as possible, a call echoed by countries including Britain, Japan and Australia.
Moscow denies plans to invade, saying it is defending its own security interests against aggression by NATO allies.
U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were due to speak on Saturday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said he would talk to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
- Erdoğan: Turkey and UAE together can contribute to regional peace
- Putin to Biden: Security ideas do not tackle main Russian concerns
- Sudan's Burhan says Israel visits for security cooperation, dismisses sanctions
- Kremlin denounces US 'peak hysteria' after Putin-Biden call
- Biden warns Putin: Ukraine attack will bring 'swift and severe costs'