UK urges Brits to leave Ukraine while commercial routes are open

LONDON

Britain on Tuesday called on all nationals to leave Ukraine while commercial routes are open.

“The safety and security of British nationals in Ukraine is our top priority,” Foreign Secretary Liz Truss wrote on Twitter.

“All Brits should leave now via commercial routes while they are still available. We are bolstering our teams in the region to support British people as they leave and once they have crossed the border.”

Her statement came following a high-level security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson following Russia’s recognition of two breakaway Ukrainian regions as independent states.

Truss also said she “instructed the Permanent Under Secretary to summon the Russian Ambassador to explain Russia’s violation of international law and disregard of Ukraine’s sovereignty.”

“We are imposing severe sanctions in response,” she said.

Johnson is expected to announce the sanctions in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon.​​​​​​​