Ukraine Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Russia Amid Invasion

Ukraine is cutting diplomatic ties with Russia, Ukraine's president announced Thursday, hours after Russia launched an attack.

Ukraine's foreign ministry said: "Our country took this step in response to acts of military aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the invasion of Russian Armed Forces to destroy the Ukrainian state and the seizure by force of Ukrainian territories with the intent of establishing occupation control."

Ukraine is evacuating its embassy in Moscow and also recalled its chargé d'affaires in Russia, the ministry said.

Ukraine is, however, keeping its consular functions and will "continue to defend the rights and interests of Ukrainians in Russia, including Ukrainian political prisoners," the ministry said.