Biden Administration Calls On American Citizens To Leave Belarus Immediately — Wagner Presence Leads To Highest Level Warning

In response to rising security risks, the Biden administration on Monday urged American citizens in Belarus to evacuate promptly.

What Happened: The U.S. embassy in Minsk has advised its citizens in Belarus to leave amidst escalating security threats linked to the presence of Russian Wagner mercenaries in the country.

The State Department has now marked Belarus as a Level 4 risk, its highest security warning, and advised American citizens to exit the country without delay. The warning comes as Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and all neighboring countries increased their border security in response to this crisis.

"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 traveling to Belarus," the State Department wrote in its warning.

Belarus’s leader, Alexander Lukashenko, often called Europe’s last dictator, has been aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s war in Ukraine. This has led to a series of U.S. sanctions against him for alleged human rights violations and political repression.

See Also: US Condemns Russia’s Nuclear Weapons Transfer to Belarus: ‘Latest Example Of Irresponsible Behavior’

The U.S. mission in Belarus is currently operating at a scaled-down level, offering only emergency services to American citizens.

Why It Matters: Lukashenko’s decision to host the Wagner forces, following an agreement with Putin, has caused concern among NATO-member countries bordering Belarus.

Following last week’s closure of two of its six border crossings with Belarus, Lithuania now advises Americans to use the remaining open border crossings. Further closures by the Polish, Lithuanian, and Latvian governments are possible, warned the State Department.

This announcement followed warnings from Russian President Putin that any aggression against Belarus would be considered an attack on Moscow, promising to use all means at their disposal in defense. The ongoing tension and escalating security concerns have forced the U.S. to advise its citizens to leave Belarus immediately.

Meanwhile, Belarusian President Lukashenko had last week threatened the use of nuclear weapons supplied by Russia in the event of foreign aggression against his country.

Photo Courtesy: Below the Sky On Shutterstock.com

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