Canada has decided to temporarily suspend activities at its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine due to “the deteriorating security situation caused by the deployment of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine”.
The diplomatic staff was transferred to a temporary office in Lviv, a city in the west of the country.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced this measure on Saturday afternoon.
Russia has mobilized 100,000 soldiers on its border with Ukraine. She asked for a series of concessions from NATO, of which Canada is a member.
Russia has denied that it intends to start a war in the region. Diplomatic discussions between Moscow and the West have failed to reduce tensions.
Shortly before the announcement of Mme Joly, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to a transcript of the conversation released by Trudeau’s office, the Prime Minister underscored Canada’s strong support for Ukraine. He promised that concerted sanctions would be the consequence of any further military incursions into Ukraine.
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