Germany advised its citizens to leave Ukraine, saying a “military war cannot be excluded” after Washington warned a Russian attack could begin any day. “Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been increasing due to the massive movements of Russian military near the Ukrainian border,” the German Foreign Ministry said.

Germany also said that it is reducing its diplomatic representation in Ukraine. “We will keep our embassy open in Kyiv but decrease the diplomatic staff,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. Belgium and the Netherlands also joined Germany in becoming the latest countries to advise their citizens to leave Ukraine. Russia also announced that it has withdrawn its diplomatic staff worrying about provocations from the West or Kyiv.