A convoy of Russian armored vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, January 18, 2022. (Photo: AP)

Meanwhile, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan has advised US citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible in light of current unpredictable developments. Biden on Friday held a call with leaders of US allies where they raised concerns about Russia’s buildup of military forces around Ukraine and expressed a desire for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, the White House has said. Participants in the call included Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson, among others.

The Japanese foreign ministry said on Friday it had issued an advisory urging Japanese nationals in Ukraine to leave immediately. The ministry also urged Japanese citizens to avoid traveling to Ukraine at this time regardless of the purpose. There are about 150 Japanese citizens in Ukraine, a foreign ministry official said.