The USA called on its citizens to leave Belarus immediately

The USA advised its citizens in Belarus to leave the country immediately. The notice was published on the website of the US Embassy in Minsk.

The message mentions Lithuania’s recent closure of two out of six border crossings on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. It is also noted that Lithuania, Latvia and Poland are considering the possibility of completely closing the Belarusian border.

Americans were advised to leave Belarus through border crossings with Latvia and Lithuania or by plane. The embassy also urged not to leave through Russia or Ukraine.

The USA asks its citizens to refrain from traveling to Belarus, pointing out that in case of extraordinary situations, the diplomatic missions will not be able to fully provide them with consular assistance.

Lithuania has closed the Shumskas (Losha) and Tveriachyus (Vidzy) border checkpoints since August 18. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Lithuania, Agne Bilotaite, said that the government is considering other protection scenarios, up to the complete closure of the border with Belarus. She emphasized that such a step, if necessary, should be taken by all the countries of the region bordering Belarus: Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.

Bilotaite said that the issue of the further closure of the borders with Belarus will be discussed by the ministers of the Baltic countries and Poland at a meeting in Warsaw on August 28.

• Latvia is also taking measures to strengthen the protection of the border with Belarus. The Border Service of Latvia has announced the transition to an enhanced regime.
• In order to strengthen the border with Belarus, Poland is building additional defense structures there and increasing its military presence. The country intends to increase the number of border guards to 10,000.
• The governments of states bordering Belarus are worried about the arrival of thousands of mercenaries of PMC “Wagner”, who were invited by Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russia, to the country.