In a significant development, the U.S. closed its embassy in Kyiv on November 20, 2024, due to specific information regarding a potential significant air attack. This decision follows a major Ukrainian strike on Russian military targets using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles, marking the 1,000th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine [6265714d]. Alongside the U.S. embassy closure, the Italian and Greek embassies also shut down operations, while the French embassy remained open but advised caution to its citizens [6265714d].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine would face defeat if U.S. military aid is significantly reduced, emphasizing that Ukraine's own production capabilities are insufficient to sustain its defense efforts [985f9f9b]. He has called for continued unity between Ukraine and the United States, especially as the conflict continues to escalate [985f9f9b].
As air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, officials instructed citizens to seek shelter, reflecting the heightened security concerns in the region [6265714d]. The U.S. embassy also advised American citizens in Ukraine to prepare for possible power and water outages due to ongoing Russian attacks [6265714d]. In a related context, Zelensky expressed confidence that President-elect Donald Trump could influence Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, asserting that the U.S. holds significant power over the situation [985f9f9b].
The Kremlin has reacted strongly to Ukraine's military actions, warning of potential retaliation against NATO countries aiding Ukraine [6265714d]. Additionally, Russia has been stockpiling missiles for future strikes, as noted by Andriy Kovalenko from Ukraine's Security Council [6265714d].
In the backdrop of these developments, the Biden administration is set to send at least $275 million in new military aid to Ukraine, which includes controversial anti-personnel land mines aimed at slowing Russian advances [5fdf6301]. As tensions escalate, Zelensky's calls for continued assistance from the U.S. become increasingly urgent [985f9f9b].