The Portuguese Government has advised national citizens who are in Ukraine, and that if “they do not have a pressing reason to stay, to leave the country while they can do so in a normal way”.

“Given the possible worsening of the security situation in the country and possible suspension of commercial flights, we advise Portuguese citizens who are in Ukraine and do not have a pressing reason to stay, to leave the country while they can do so through normal routes”, advises a notice published on the Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas.

In addition to Portugal, other countries have asked their citizens in Ukraine to leave the country. The list includes the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Iraq, Kuwait and Italy.

These calls followed the US declaration that Russia could invade Ukraine "at any time" in the coming days.