SEPANG: All 24 Malaysians registered with the country’s embassy in Ukraine have been evacuated and the office is now temporarily closed, says the Prime Minister.

       Describing the mission facilitated by the embassy as a success, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he was relieved that Malaysians in Ukraine had been taken out of the country to safety.

       “All those registered were accounted for and have left the country. We are unsure if there are those who did not register with the embassy.

       “If there are, we urge them to contact our embassy in Poland, which is on hand to provide assistance to them.

       “As for our embassy in Ukraine, we have closed it for the time being,” he added.

       The Prime Minister was speaking to reporters after meeting seven Malaysians who had made it safely back to the country from Ukraine.

       They arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport via Qatar Airways on board Flight QR0848 at about 3pm yesterday.

       Safe and sound: Ismail Sabri meeting some of the Malaysians who returned from Ukraine after their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. — Bernama

       The group, however, did not meet the media who had been waiting at the airport since 1pm to interview them.

       They were among 12 people, comprising nine Malaysians and two dependants and a Singaporean, who were brought out of Ukraine on Feb 26.

       Two Malaysians have decided to remain in Poland.

       Thirteen Malaysians had left Ukraine between Feb 14 and 24 on the advice of the Malaysian embassy in the capital Kyiv.

       Ismail Sabri expressed relief that despite the situation in Ukraine, Malaysians there were safe.

       “The lives and safety of our people remain a priority. That is why we did our best to ensure our people are safe. Alhamdulillah (thanks to God), they are all safe,” he said.

       On whether Malaysia would issue a stronger stand on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Prime Minister said his earlier statement remained.

       “Our representatives will be involved in the debate at the United Nations. After the debate, we will issue a statement,” he said.

       Last Saturday, while in Bangkok for an official visit, Ismail Sabri said Malaysia was seriously concerned about the “escalation of conflict in Ukraine” and strongly urged all parties involved to immediately take steps to de-escalate and prevent loss of lives and devastation.

       An emergency special session of the United Nations general assembly will be held this week to discuss the latest developments between Russia and Ukraine.

       The special session was mandated by a Feb 27 vote in the Security Council following its failure to adopt a resolution condemning Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine.