US President Joe Biden urged American citizens in Ukraine to "leave the country immediately". According to Biden, the situation in Ukraine can get "crazy quickly", and he will not send soldiers to rescue American civilians trying to flee the country if the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, chooses to invade Ukraine. President Biden said this Thursday night (10 February) in an interview with the American broadcaster NBC News.
Meanwhile, Biden said in the interview that "we're dealing with a terrorist organisation. We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly".
"That's a world war where Americans and Russian start shooting at one another. We're in a very different world than we've ever been in."
Last Monday (7 February), Biden already said that American civilians "would be wise" to leave Ukraine.
The US Department of State warned on Thursday that the US will not be able to evacuate American citizens in the event of Russian military intervention in Ukraine. It also warned that the usual evacuation assistance through the US consulate would be made more difficult after a Russian invasion.
Russia denies plans to invade Ukraine. However, over the last weeks, Russia has amassed a significant military force close to the Russian/Ukrainian border. It is estimated that some 130,000 troops are involved, both in Russia, and in Belarus where joint military exercises began on Thursday and will continue until 20 February.
