No Advice Yet for Irish to Leave Ukraine Amid Russian Invasion Fears

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to follow the lead of several other countries in asking Irish citizens to leave Ukraine.

With fears escalating that Russia is set to mount an invasion of Ukraine, the UK Foreign Office has urged all British citizens in the country to "leave now while commercial means are still available."

US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan has said an invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces is a "very, very distinct possibility" and could include a "rapid assault on the city of Kyiv."

Labelling the threat "immediate," the US asked its citizens in Ukraine to leave "as soon as possible and in any event in the next 24 to 48 hours."

Ireland however is showing less urgency with its advice to citizens in Ukraine.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is in "ongoing contact" with "EU partners, as well as the UK and the US, regarding the political and security situation in Ukraine."

"Our Embassy in Kyiv is in constant coordination with partners on the ground in respect of consular and security contingency planning and that coordination will continue through the weekend," the department said in a statement. "We are aware of the decision today by the US and UK to change their travel advice to their citizens currently in Ukraine and to advise them to leave."

Currently, non-essential travel to Ukraine is being advised against.

"A small number of Embassies in Kyiv, including the UK, US, Canada, have drawn down non-essential personnel and family members of diplomatic staff only," the department continued. "Essential diplomatic and consular staff remain. There are no plans to withdraw staff from the Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv at this time. The Department is in ongoing direct contact with Irish families scheduled to travel to Ukraine for surrogacy purposes and will continue to provide advice and assistance. We continue to call on Russia to de-escalate, abide by international law and engage constructively in dialogue. Recent high-level discussions are welcome. These now need to translate into immediate, tangible actions and a commitment to dialogue."