US urges citizens to leave Belarus “immediately”

WASHINGTON:  The United States (US) embassy on Monday urged its citizens to leave Belarus “immediately”. The advisory was issued as Lithuania shut down two of six border crossings with the country amid growing tensions in the region.

“Do not travel to Belarus due to Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or travelling to Belarus,” the statement issued by the US Embassy in Minsk read.

“US citizens are not permitted to enter Poland overland from Belarus. Do not travel to Russia or to Ukraine,” it added.