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Canada partially evacuates its embassy in Kiev

OTTAWA, February 23, (ITAR-TASS) - The Canadian government has decided to partially evacuate the Canadian Embassy in Kiev, a diplomat from the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.

He said all embassy staffers whose presence was not necessitated by the developments, as well as members of their families, had been asked to leave Kiev for a while.

On Tuesday, Canada temporarily closed its embassy in the riotous Ukrainian capital as a measure of precaution. Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesman Adam Hodge said Canada was closely following the developments in Kiev and was taking measures to strengthen security measures at the Canadian Embassy. He did not specify how long the diplomatic mission would be closed.

Last week, the Canadian government warned its fellow countrymen staying in Kiev to exercise vigilance amid protests and escalating violence. On Saturday, the foreign ministry also warned Canadians against trips to Kiev in view of a worsening situation.