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The United States cut down on its Ukraine embassy presence today via ordering the families of all American personnel there to leave.
This comes as fears of a Russian invasion are running high.
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The escalating fears of a Russian incursion into Ukraine led to an order from the U.S. State Department asking the families of all American personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine to leave the country.
The State Department ascribed its decision to the massive Russian military troops buildup on the Ukrainian border and heightened tensions between the two sides.
State Department officials stressed that the Kiev embassy will remain open and that the announcement does not constitute an immediate evacuation.
Meantime, a welter of conflicts between Russia and Britain over the latter's claim that the Kremlin is preparing for a coup to topple the Ukrainian government in order to make way for a pro-Moscow administration had the Russian Foreign Ministry refuting that claim. The representative said it's absurd to suggest that, saying Ukraine will continue to enjoy its neutral status, and that striving for NATO is equivalent to letting the war persist.
What's more, the U.S. is threatening to slap Russia with swift and debilitating sanctions if Moscow opts to make an incursion, one that's on a scale never seen since World War II.
{Soundbite} ANTONY BLINKEN, U.S. Secretary of State: In the event that there is a renewed Russian incursion, Russian forces going into Ukraine, there is going to be a swift, a severe and united response.
With more than 100,000 Russian troops armed to the teeth encircling Ukraine near its northern, southern and eastern borders, Europe is, in all likelihood, on the precipice of war.
At the same time, Pope Francis issued what is considered a clarion call, calling upon world leaders to avert serious and devastating repercussions that may be forthcoming. He called for a day of prayer for peace on Wednesday.
The first batch of U.S. weapons arrived in Ukraine this week to help Ukrainian troops amp up their defence against Russia.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian government is requesting the U.S. to consider punishing sanctions for Russia, as are U.S. senators.
For now, whether a war will break out is an event that remains hanging in the balance.
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