Thread by @StephenMcDonell

#China’s Embassy in #Ukraine says it’s now started to get groups of Chinese citizens out of the country. #Russia #UkraineRussiaWar

That China is only getting its people out now could in mean 1: #Beijing initially felt it was important not to upset #Russia by prematurely getting Chinese people out of Ukraine or 2: #China did not expect #Moscow to attack all of #Ukraine?

Or possibility no 3: Could it mean #China thought that #Russia would take #Ukraine so quickly that it would not necessitate Chinese people leaving (hence the early advice to put Chinese flags on cars)? NOTE: this would've been a risky strategy because even a quick war is deadly.

#China's Embassy in #Ukraine said that the first organised group left yesterday. Party media has reported that that the first to leave were Chinese students from #Kyiv heading to #Moldova and that more groups of students will follow.

Of course, one very worrying possibility is that #Beijing is getting its people out of #Ukraine now because #China has calculated that #Russia's invasion is about to get much worse and become a much more dangerous place to be.

BTW no indication for how long #China’s embassy will continue to organise groups of Chinese citizens to leave #Ukraine or if they will be able to keep doing this. There are reports of Chinese people wanting get out but who have not been able to yet. #Russia #UkraineRussiaWar