China News Agency, Washington, February 28 (Reporter Sha Hanting) The US State Department issued a statement on February 28, local time, saying that the US has suspended the operation of the US embassy in Belarus and the embassy personnel have been evacuated.
The statement said that due to Russia's military action in Ukraine, the operation of the U.S. embassy in Belarus has been suspended and all routine and emergency consular services at the embassy have been suspended.
Therefore, all U.S. citizens in Belarus are advised to leave Belarus immediately by choosing the available means.
On the same day, the U.S. State Department also approved the voluntary evacuation of "non-emergency" staff and their families from the U.S. embassy in Russia.
The statement said the U.S. side took the above-mentioned measures in response to Russia's military operations in Ukraine.
On the 24th, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised speech that he had decided to launch a special military operation in the Donbas region, and at the same time said that Russia had no plans to occupy Ukraine.
On the 28th, the Russian delegation and the Ukrainian delegation held negotiations in Gomel Oblast, Belarus.
Mejinsky, head of the Russian delegation, said that day that Russia intends to reach a consensus with Ukraine as soon as possible.
The Ukrainian President's Office said the Ukrainian side believes that the core issue of the talks is the immediate realization of a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
(over)