US warns against travel to Ukraine

Associated Press
Anti-government protesters take a break on a barricade at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. Ukraine’s presidency said Friday that it has negotiated an international deal intended to end battles between police and protesters that have killed scores and injured hundreds. (AP Photo/ Marko Drobnjakovic)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. State Department is advising Americans to defer all non-essential travel to Ukraine because of continuing violence between police and anti-government protesters.

The department's travel warning authorizes the departure of all family members of U.S. personnel. The department says that while the U.S. Embassy in Kiev will stay open, the ability of the U.S. to respond to emergencies involving Americans in Ukraine is limited.

The advisory issued Friday says U.S. citizens in Ukraine and Americans considering traveling there, quote, "should evaluate their personal security situation in light of the escalating violence."

Scores of people have been killed and hundreds more injured in clashes between police and protesters. The government is moving closer to Russia. But the protesters want the country to align with the West.