US Withdraws Diplomats and Their Families from Minsk

The U.S. State Department has noted the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus near the borders with Ukraine. The agency announced the evacuation of family members of government employees from the country. This decision was made on January 23, concerning the families of diplomats in Kyiv. Similar decisions were made by Great Britain, Canada, Germany, and Australia at that time.

“On January 31, 2022, the State Department instructed to arrange the departure of family members of U.S. government employees,” states the announcement posted on the State Department's website.

The U.S. advises its citizens against traveling to Belarus due to the risk of arbitrary detention and the concerning buildup of Russian armed forces at the Belarus-Ukraine border.