US Embassy in Minsk. "US citizens residing in Belarus should leave the country immediately"

"US citizens residing in Belarus should leave the country immediately," the US embassy in Minsk urged. The facility has issued an alert in which it warns against traveling also to Russia and Ukraine. "If you decide to travel to Belarus, prepare a contingency plan that will not rely on assistance from the US government" the embassy noted.

The U.S. Embassy in Minsk recalls that the Lithuanian government closed two of its six border crossings with Belarus last week, and the governments of Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have not ruled out closing more.

Other border crossings remain open. Do not go to Belarus. U.S. citizens in Belarus should leave immediately, the US Embassy tweeted.

https://twitter.com/USEmbBy/status/1693622862777618663

The facility emphasizes on its website that the travel ban to Belarus was issued due to the continuous facilitation by the Belarusian authorities of an unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the possibility of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the limited capacity of the embassy to assisting U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.

Lithuania closed its border crossings with Belarus

The United States appeals to its citizens The embassy advises US citizens to leave Belarus through open border crossings with Lithuania and Latvia or by plane. "U.S. citizens cannot enter Poland by land from Belarus," the statement reads. Embassy also appeals not to travel to Russia or Ukraine.

The post also recommends that every citizen staying in Belarus "prepare a contingency plan that will not rely on the help of the US government". 

"Always carry your passport and visa documents. Be aware of the security situation and plan contingency actions that do not depend on US government assistance. Monitor local and international media for major events and be prepared to adjust your plans based on new information", appeals the U.S. Embassy in Minsk.