Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine will continue work with 'optimization': Moscow

Amid fears tensions over Ukraine might escalate into conflict, Russia on Saturday said its embassies and consulates in the country would continue basic functions while “optimizing” their staff, due to “provocations” by Kyiv or other parties.

"In this situation, in the wake of possible provocations by the Kiev regime or third countries, we have, indeed, made a decision on some optimization of the staff of Russian overseas missions in Ukraine,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, stressing that “our embassy and consulates will keep performing their basic functions."

Underlining the “substantial influence that Washington and London have on Kiev and … the processes in Ukraine,” including sending weapons and instructors, she said: “Our American and British colleagues, apparently, know about some violent acts being prepared in Ukraine that can considerably complicate the security situation.”

Zakharova did not say if “optimizing” staff meant a staff reduction, as some Russian outlets have reported that staff and families are being withdrawn, with similar moves being taken by Western countries.

- US prepares to evacuate staff from Ukraine

While the tension between Russia and Ukraine continues, the US State Department said in a travel advisory that it had “ordered the departure of most U.S. direct hire employees from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action.”

As of Sunday, said the statement, the department “will suspend consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. The Embassy will maintain a small consular presence in Lviv, Ukraine to handle emergencies, but will not be able to provide passport, visa or routine consular services. U.S. citizens may seek these services at U.S. Embassies in neighboring countries."

With US officials claiming Russia could move against Ukraine at any time, diplomatic sources who asked not to be named said that almost all American personnel at the embassy may have to leave.

The US had previously ordered the embassy employees in Kyiv to evacuate their families.

Moscow recently amassed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine, prompting fears that the Kremlin could be planning another military offensive against its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Russia has denied it is preparing to invade and accused Western countries of undermining its security by NATO’s expansion toward its borders.

The Kremlin also issued a list of security demands to the West, including a rolling back of troop deployments from some ex-Soviet states and guarantees that Ukraine and Georgia will not join NATO.