PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is in the process of evacuating eight of its citizens and two foreign dependents from Ukraine through the Malaysian Embassy in Kiev, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       "The Embassy of Malaysia in Kiev is currently undertaking evacuation of the remaining eight Malaysian nationals and two of their foreign dependents from Kiev.

       "Thirteen of our nationals had already left Ukraine in the past weeks.

       "Malaysia is seriously concerned over the escalation of conflict in Ukraine, and strongly urges all concerned parties to immediately take steps to de-escalate and prevent loss of lives and devastation," he said in a statement on Saturday (Feb 26).

       Ismail Sabri called upon the UN Security Council to carry out its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

       At this critical juncture, every effort should be redoubled to seek a peaceful and amicable solution to the conflict through dialogue and negotiation based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations, said Ismail Sabri.

       He added that Malaysia will continue to support such efforts in the interest of maintaining regional and international peace and security, as well as promoting greater prosperity.