Learning English

Ukraine: US tells embassy families to leave

The United States has told the families of staff that work in the embassy in Ukraine to leave. It has also told its citizens not to travel to Russia.

This all relates to fears that there will some kind of military action by Russia against Ukraine. Russia denies planning this.

Rob and Roy discuss this news story and teach you some related vocabulary so you can talk about it too.

ነቲ ቪድዮ ብምዕዛብ ነቲ ስራሕ ዕመምዎ

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The story

The United States has ordered the relatives of its embassy staff in Ukraine to leave the country. It advised Americans not to travel to Russia amid rising tension in the region.

The State Department said there were reports that Russia was planning significant military action against Ukraine. Moscow denies planning an invasion despite massing tens of thousands of troops on the border.

Key words and phrases

weighs options
considers value of potential plans

• She will weigh all options before deciding whether to apply for the new job or not.
• The potential outcomes will be weighed up before any decision is made on a new deal.

fears mount
concerns gradually increase

• Tensions between the two business parties have seen fears mount that a deal will not happen.
• Excitement mounted as his birthday approached.

nonessential staff
employees who are not necessary for critical functions

• All nonessential staff were told to abandon the ship after it started sinking.
• There aren’t any nonessential staff here over the weekend.

To do

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