#accelerate#Ukrainian#embassy#commercial

U.S. officials have warned that Moscow continues to amass more than 100,000 troops near Russia's border with Ukraine and in neighboring Belarus, and could launch destructive attacks, including on Kiev, at any time. Moscow denies Western accusations that it is planning an invasion."An invasion of Ukraine could trigger violence and destruction on a massive scale, with loss of life regardless of nationality -- American, Ukrainian" or others, State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a briefing.

In a statement, Blinken said the decision to move embassy operations to Lviv was made for the safety of staff. Lviv is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Ukraine's western border with Poland.

Most embassy staff have been asked to leave Ukraine, and American citizens have been advised to leave the country by commercial means.Mr Blinken said the move would "in no way" undermine US support for Ukraine's "sovereignty and territorial integrity" and that US diplomats would "remain engaged" with the Ukrainian government.He said the US was continuing to press Moscow for a diplomatic solution.But Price told reporters, "We don't know if Russia is interested... Explore diplomatic options."

He said Washington took note of comments made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin that Moscow would continue diplomatic efforts to secure security guarantees from the West.Price continued, "What we haven't noticed is any indication of a de-escalation of the Russian military."