US citizens should NOT travel to Ukraine, says the White House – despite Zelensky’s call for foreigners to join the battle against Russian invaders
- Ukrainian President Zelensky is creating a new International Legion of Territorial Defense
- He has thanked western governments for aid but has also called for others to fight in defense of Ukraine and Europe
- He has also sought a no fly zone, an idea the U.S. is not considering
- ‘We applaud their bravery. However, our travel advisory remains that U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine,’ said the White House
The White House is encouraging Americans to heed existing travel warnings against going to Ukraine – even after Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky’s call for people from around the world to join his country’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre invoked the travel warnings when asked by DailyMail.com aboard Air Force one for the government’s position on the matter.
It came on Day 7 of the invasion, hours after President Joe Biden said Russia was deliberately targeting civilians, following Russian shelling of Ukrainian urban centers.
‘They are,’ Biden said.
‘Ukrainians have shown their courage,’ Jean-Pierre said, noting they were calling on every resource to defend themselves.
‘We applaud their bravery. However, our travel advisory remains that U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine,’ she said.
US President Joe Biden visits workers near the John A. Blatnik Memorial Bridge in Superior, Wisconsin, on March 2, 2022. The White House said a travel advisory that Americans should not go to Ukraine, when asked about Ukrainian President Zelensky’s call for foreigners come and join the fight to defend against the Russian invasion
She said those advisories are ‘to help Americans make the most informed decisions about their safety.’
Pressed on whether the guidance specifically related to those who might choose to go in fight, Jean-Pierre referenced a State Department advisory on traveling to Ukraine. That advisory, issued before the Russian invasion, referenced both the dangers of potential conflict and risks of COVID-19.
‘Join the defense of Ukraine, Europe and the world,’ Zelensky said as he urged foreigners to join the defense of his country – with the US and allies supplying aid.
‘We applaud their bravery. However, our travel advisory remains that U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine,’ said the White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre
People take part in a basic military training on March 1, 2022 in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Ukrainians from the eastern and central parts of the country have increasingly fled to western cities as Russian forces advance toward Kyiv from three sides
The Ukrainian President Zelensky said he is creating a new International Legion of Territorial Defense
‘All the friends of Ukraine who want to come join us, come here too—we will give you weapons,’ he said last weekend.
The Ukrainian leader said he is creating a new International Legion of Territorial Defense, even as his country is rushing to enlist ordinary Ukrainians to join the fight, where they are outnumbered against a Russian Army contingent estimated at more than 200,000.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said she supports UK citizens who want to go and answer Zelensky’s call.
The U.S. has previously rejected other steps that might risk an escalation between the U.S. and nuclear Russia, turning back Zelensky’s call to establish a no-fly zone.
Jean-Pierre also commented about the latest incendiary comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said that World War III would be ‘destructive’ and ‘nuclear.’
Asked about the nuclear saber-rattling by DailyMail.com, she responded: ‘this was a war of choice by President Putin. This is his decision that he has made, she said.
‘This is President Putin’s war,’ she added.
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