Americans Advised to Leave Belarus as Tensions Rise With NATO-Aligned States

The U.S. State Department urges American citizens to “immediately” leave Belarus, a key Russian ally. The move follows weeks of mounting tensions between Belarus and three of its neighbors, all of which are foes of Russia and members of the Western NATO alliance.

Lithuanian army soldiers install razor wire on the border with Belarus in Druskininkai, Lithuania, on July 9, 2021. Janis Laizans/Reuters

Tensions continue to mount between Belarus, a key Russian ally, and NATO members Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia following a series of recent military deployments and border closures.

In an indication of rising tensions, the U.S. State Department this week urged American citizens in Belarus to leave the country “immediately.”