The Biden administration is urging U.S. citizens in Belarus to depart the country immediately and warned against travel there in a statement published Monday.

The updated travel warning comes after bordering countries Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have stepped up security along the border over concerns about Russian Wagner mercenary forces exiled in the country.

The State Department, in its warning, encouraged Americans still in Belarus to depart the country immediately and categorized the country as a Level 4 risk, the highest security warning.

        • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Sure but even then, you’ve got a target on your back being there as a US citizen. I’d want my family to be safe so I’d leave, it’ll be less likely that anti NATO groups find out about your family if you’re not there.

          • snooggums@kbin.social
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            1 year ago

            I am just pointing out that there are other reasons to be there at this point in time that just support of the war.

            • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              Very true, some just want to stay, I know a lot of Belarusian’s hate lukashinko and putin so they stay for their country. Hopefully the time comes when they can take it back just as Ukraine has been doing.

              • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                Yeah that’s a big issue. Hell even some of the EU countries have issues getting visitor visas for the USA. I’ve got UA and PL family and both prior to the war had really really tough times just to be able to come visit.

            • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              No clue why you’re being shot down for this but you’re right, if you have Belarusian family and they’re not pro-putin then I’d try my hardest to get them over here.

    • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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      1 year ago

      There’s always journalists, business people, tourists, and visiting family knocking around in these kinds of situations. This is the US Embassy officially warning those folks that they are in danger and that the US will have limited recourse if they find themselves in trouble.

      • qevlarr@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I know but I assumed they already were in danger. Lukashenko can be forced to enter this whole special operation shitshow at a moment’s notice.

    • Hank@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Maybe it’s meant to mainly fuck with Russian intelligence? Don’t forget that we’re practically at war with them.