US, Spain, Greece And Italy Closes Embassy In Kyiv Amid Air Raid Alerts And Missile Threats.
The United States Embassy in Kyiv has temporarily closed following intelligence indicating a “potential significant air attack” on 20 November. Italy, Greece, and Spain have also closed their embassies in Ukraine’s capital, while the United Kingdom has kept its embassy operational, according to the Foreign Office.
Hours after the US announcement, an air raid alert was declared in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force described the situation as a missile threat, urging citizens to remain vigilant. The head of Ukraine’s presidential administration emphasised the importance of taking this particular alert seriously, as air raid warnings have become a frequent reality since the onset of the conflict.
The closures and warnings coincide with heightened tensions following US President Joe Biden’s decision to approve the provision of anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine. The decision has drawn criticism from world leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who labelled it a “big mistake” that would “fuel the war.” Erdogan, speaking after the G20 Summit in Brazil, reiterated his stance that the Ukraine-Russia conflict cannot be resolved through more weapons but rather through diplomacy and goodwill.
China has also called for restraint, with a spokesperson for the foreign ministry urging all parties to “remain calm” and de-escalate tensions. Meanwhile, US officials have confirmed that Ukraine has used American-supplied longer-range missiles to target Russian territory, a move permitted by the Biden administration.
As the conflict intensifies, global leaders continue to debate the path forward, with some advocating increased military support for Ukraine and others pushing for renewed peace efforts. For now, the situation in Kyiv remains tense, with citizens bracing for potential air strikes amidst the ongoing war.
