U.S. diplomats families ordered to leave Kiev as military aid arrives

The U.S.'s non-essential embassy staff have also been cleared to leave the Eastern European country on a voluntary basis, and U.S. citizens need to "consider departing now," the U.S. State Department said, adding that travel to Russia is also discouraged.

Tensions have been running high between Moscow and the West over Russia's massing of troops near its border with Ukraine, a country divided by pro- and anti-Russia elements that has over the past several days received two consignments of U.S. security assistance including ammunition.

"The second bird in Kyiv! More than 80 tons of weapons to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities from our friends in the USA! And this is not the end," said Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov on Twitter.

Washington has promised Ukraine defensive aid totaling $200 million.

The West accuses Russia of planning a massive military offensive against Ukraine, and claims such as Russia is plotting to overthrow the Ukrainian government and install a "puppet regime" have added fuel to the ongoing tension.

Moscow has repeatedly denied these allegations, but warned that it could be forced to "eliminate unacceptable threats to our security."

Apart from threatening Russia with severe sanctions, the U.S. and European countries have been stepping up diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff, with British foreign minister Liz Truss planning a visit to Moscow and Washington proposing a summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Russia has said that in order to deescalate tensions, the West must meet its demand of not expanding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization eastward or deploying forces to Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations.

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U.S. diplomats' families ordered to leave Kiev as military aid arrives

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