Desk Report
Publish: 29 Sep 2022, 04:59 pm
US Embassy in Moscow || Photo: Radio Tehran
The
United States has reiterated its call for US citizens to “immediately” leave
Russia after Moscow announced a partial mobilisation to draft soldiers to fight
in Ukraine.
In a
security alert issued late on Tuesday, the US embassy in Moscow said Americans
should make their own arrangements to get out of the country “as soon as
possible”.
“Russia
may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ US citizenship, deny their access to
US consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual
nationals for military service,” the alert said.
The US
Department of State had called on US citizens to leave Russia in March amid
growing tensions between Washington and Moscow over the invasion of Ukraine.
The US
travel advisory for Russia, last updated in August, says US citizens should
leave the country due to “arbitrary enforcement of local law”, as well as the
US embassy’s limited ability to assist Americans in the country, potential
harassment and “terrorism”.
“Exercise
increased caution due to wrongful detentions,” the advisory states.
Two
Americans – basketball star Brittney Griner and former US Marine Paul Whelan –
are currently imprisoned in Russia over drug and espionage charges,
respectively. The administration of US President Joe Biden considers them
wrongfully detained.
The US
embassy in Moscow also warned American citizens against participating in
demonstrations in Russia. “We remind US citizens that the right to peaceful
assembly and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia,” the alert
said.
Meanwhile,
on Wednesday afternoon, Washington announced an additional $1.1bn in weapons
and military equipment for Ukraine.
White
House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the arms package would include 18
High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), “which Ukraine has used so
effectively on the battlefield”, as well as hundreds of armoured vehicles,
radars and counter-drone systems.
“We
will not be deterred from supporting Ukraine. We will continue to stand with
the Ukrainian people and provide them with the security assistance they need to
defend themselves for as long as it takes,” Jean-Pierre told reporters.
Last
week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial military
mobilisation, calling up as many as 300,000 army reservists to serve in Ukraine.
Russia
launched the invasion of its neighbour in February after a months-long standoff
that saw Putin demand an end to NATO expansion into former Soviet republics.
But
Moscow’s military campaign has been mired by setbacks. In recent weeks,
Ukrainian forces – backed by US weaponry – recaptured large swaths of territory
in a counteroffensive in the east of the country.
Earlier
this month, Russian-installed officials in four occupied regions of Ukraine
held votes to join Russia.
Washington
has condemned what it calls the “sham” referendums and vowed to never recognise
Russia’s expected annexation of the territories.
“Ukraine
has the absolute right to defend itself throughout its territory, including to
take back the territory that has been illegally seized one way or another by
Russia,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.
US
officials say they will continue with their sanctions campaign against Moscow
over the invasion, as well.
James
O’Brien, the State Department’s head of sanctions coordination, told US
lawmakers on Wednesday that “everything is on the table” when it comes to future
measures against Moscow.
“There will be more packages,” O’Brien said. “We are working on more sanctions.”_AlJazeera
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