The US State Department has released new recommendations for its citizens in Belarus. According to the official statement, Americans are advised to leave the territory of Belarus urgently, and those who plan to visit the country are advised to refrain from traveling because of increasing risks.
The risks for Americans in Belarus increase due to the existence of an alliance between Belarus and Russia in the context of a full -scale war with Ukraine. Also a significant threat is possible street riots and an unstable political situation in the country. In addition, the Belarusian authorities apply local laws arbitrarily, which can lead to accidental detentions of US citizens without consular guarantees. Because of this, the US State Department has set the level of risk at the fourth level for Belarus - not to visit, which is the highest degree of danger to its citizens.
Consular services for US citizens in Minsk have been stopped since February 28, 2022, and they are currently unavailable. Americans who are in Belarus and need consular assistance are advised to leave the country as soon as possible and contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate in another country. In particular, American citizens are advised to constantly check the possible options for leaving the country in the event of emergencies. Border crossings at the borders with Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Ukraine can be closed by the Belarusian side without pre -warning, which can complicate the evacuation process.
Given the political and social situation in Belarus, American citizens are strongly recommended to leave the country. Increasing risks through arbitrary application of local laws and possible restrictions on borders threaten the safety of US citizens, so it is necessary to take steps to evacuate as soon as possible.
