The U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
Mikhail Metzel|TASS|Getty Images
The State Department on Monday revealed it has actually suspended operations at its embassy in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus, and greenlit the voluntary departure of nonemergency members and their households from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
“We took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in a declaration.
The Biden administration’s actions mark the most recent disintegration of diplomatic ties with the Kremlin, which has actually been condemned by much of the global neighborhood and struck with debilitating sanctions over its military aggressiveness inUkraine The program of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, which borders Ukraine and is carefully allied with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has actually likewise been approved, most just recently by the European Union.
Earlier Monday early morning, talks in between Russian and Ukrainian delegations started at the Ukraine-Belarus border. The 2 nations accepted consult with no prerequisites, according to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
Blinken’s declaration stated the U.S. had “authorized the voluntary departure (‘authorized departure’) of non-emergency employees and family members” from the embassy in Moscow.
“The Department of State continually adjusts its posture at embassies and consulates throughout the world in line with its mission, the local security environment, and the health situation,” Blinken stated.
“We ultimately have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens, and that includes our U.S. government personnel and their dependents serving around the world,” he stated.
