The US State Department has ordered the families of diplomats stationed in Belarus to leave the country amid rising tensions in the region. The US warned in a travel advisory updated Monday of an “unusual and concerning Russian military buildup along Belarus’ border with Ukraine.”
The situation is unpredictable and there is heightened tension in the region, the advisory noted. The US had already advised against travel to Belarus and the country remains under the highest warning category at level 4, but the border situation with Ukraine has now been added as a reason along with prior warnings about coronavirus and the arbitrary enforcement of laws.
In mid-January, the US government reduced its embassy presence in Kiev and asked family members of diplomats to leave Ukraine. Russia in recent months has amassed some 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border, sparking fears from the US and NATO.
The US is also concerned about Belarus – as the deployment of soldiers to Ukraine’s neighbour has raised fears Russia could attack Ukraine from the north. The Pentagon said Russia continued deploying troops to Belarus over the weekend. Russia has repeatedly denied it is planning to invade Ukraine.
Source: MIA
