In a statement issued on Monday, the Biden administration is strongly advising U.S. citizens currently in Belarus to leave the country promptly, while also cautioning against any travel plans to the region.

This updated travel advisory follows increased border security measures taken by neighboring countries like Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland due to concerns about the presence of Russian Wagner mercenary forces, who are now in exile within Belarus.

The State Department’s warning encourages Americans who are still in Belarus to take immediate steps to depart from the country. The advisory classifies Belarus as a Level 4 risk, signifying the highest level of security alert, the Hill reports.

The longstanding leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe’s last dictator, has played a significant role in aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine.

Lukashenko is subject to a range of U.S. sanctions due to allegations of human rights violations and political oppression against Belarusians who contested his claim to victory in the 2020 election.

The U.S. diplomatic presence in Belarus has been significantly reduced, with the mission focused solely on providing emergency assistance to American citizens.

Lukashenko’s decision to accommodate Wagner forces through an agreement with Putin, which concluded the mercenary group’s brief rebellion against the Russian government, has raised concerns among NATO member countries situated along Belarus’s borders.

Written by staff