is still surging. all right, thank you so much. we have some breaking news just coming in to us. sources telling cnn the u.s. embassy in ukraine will be evacuating all nonessential personnel and family members of american diplomats as tensions with russia continue to escalate. cnn s arlette saenz joins me from the white house with more. what more are you learning here, arlette? reporter: pamela, that is a significant development. the state department announcing they are reducing the staff at the u.s. embassy in ukraine. i want to read you the travel advisory. january 23rd, the department of state authorized voluntary departure of employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from embassy kiev due to the continued threat of russian military action. it says u.s. citizens in ukraine should consider departing now