United States is provoking conflict in the Ukraine: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the US of seeking to provoke conflict in Ukraine and blamed Washington of waging a “propaganda campaign” against Moscow in a phone call with his US counterpart Antony Blinken.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said warnings of Russian aggression were stoking “panic” after the US national security advisor warned of an imminent Russian invasion.

Earlier, the State Department ordered its non-emergency embassy staff in Ukraine to leave the country amid rising tensions. A number of countries, including the UK, have followed suit.

Slovakia has recommended its citizens avoid travel to neighbouring Ukraine, and is pulling out family members of diplomats at its embassy in Kyiv and a consulate in the western city of Uzhhorod, according to the foreign ministry.

EU and NATO member Slovakia shares a near 100km (60 mile) border with Ukraine in the east.