Ukrainian staffers at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv are pleading for help from the State Department amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A letter to agency leadership Thursday, reported by CNN, pushed the agency for “immediate answer and action” on matters such as evacuations and securing visas to the United States, “as there is no safe place in Ukraine anymore.”
“Today (Locally Employed) Staff were waken up by the sound of exploding bombs in multiple cities around Ukraine. Situation is critical, and our questions remain unanswered,” the letter reads.
“We have worked side by side with you for two decades, and always had strong faith in the work US Government was doing. We need your help now. This is not a time to wait and research. This is time to act. Your actions can save our lives,” it continues.
WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS NOT SENDING US TROOPS TO UKRAINE
State Department spokesman Ned Price said Friday that the agency was “exploring all legal options available to us that would enable us to support them at what clearly is a very difficult time for our locally employed staff.” Price also said the State Department had “provided guidance” to those locally employed staff who sought information about leaving Ukraine.
Another letter dated Thursday, from a group of foreign service officers and other staff, said their Ukrainian colleagues “deserve better,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
Russia began its invasion early Thursday morning local time. By early Saturday morning local time, intense fighting was being reported around Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. At least two Russian military transport planes were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses around Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.
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The White House asked Congress on Friday to provide $6.4 billion to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion, according to multiple reports. The money would be split, with $3.5 billion going to the Pentagon and $2.9 billion shared between security assistance, humanitarian aid, economic stabilization needs, and regional efforts, an administration official said Friday.
