Americas

Americas

US embassy in Belarus suspends operations as Russia continues to attack Ukraine

28 February 2022 17:06 (UTC +04:00)

The US is suspending operations at the US embassy in Belarus and also allowing non-emergency employees and family members to depart the US embassy in Russia due to safety and security issues resulting from Russian aggression towards Ukraine, Secretary of State Tony Blinken said in a statement, APA reports citing CNN.

“The U.S. Department of State has suspended operations at our Embassy in Minsk, Belarus and authorized the voluntary departure (“authorized departure”) of non-emergency employees and family members at our Embassy in Moscow, Russia. We took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine,” Blinken said on Monday morning.

Blinken cited the department’s highest priority being the safety and security of US citizens, including US government personnel worldwide.