This Saturday, the Portuguese government advised citizens who are in Ukraine, that they “have no urgent reason to stay, to leave the country while they can do so via normal methods”.
“Due to the possible deterioration of the security situation in the country and the possible suspension of commercial flights, we advise Portuguese nationals who are in Ukraine and have no urgent reason to remain to leave the country while they can do so via normal routes,” advises. A notice posted on the Portuguese Communities Portal.
In addition to Portugal, other countries have asked their citizens in Ukraine to leave the country.
The list includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Iraq, Kuwait and Italy.
The calls come on the heels of the US announcement that Russia can invade Ukraine “at any time” in the coming days.
Last Sunday, February 12, the consular services had already suggested to Portuguese residents of Ukraine that they leave the country temporarily, if they did not have to stay for essential reasons, as confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, at the time.
The minister noted that there are 240 Portuguese residents in the country, with whom the embassy and the consular section in Kiev have been in constant contact.
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