13 Going on 14 — GFM: https://gofund.me/32671a27

According to the June 3 statement from the Belarus Foreign Ministry, the government summoned the Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Minsk and informed him of retaliatory measures against the United States. The measures include the reduction of the diplomatic and administrative-technical personnel of the American diplomatic mission, the tightening of visa procedures, the limitation of the work of American specialists in Belarus on a temporary basis. The government also revoked the work permit for the US Agency for International Development.

In 2008, the Belarusian Government imposed restrictions on the number of U.S. diplomats allowed in Minsk, and the State Department was forced to reduce its embassy staff from 35 to five diplomats as well as withdraw the U.S. Ambassador. The number of U.S. diplomats was later increased to six in July 2014. We are not sure how many were at post prior to this latest development. The current CDA Ruben Harutunian assumed his duties as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Minsk on May 24, 2021.

In April 2020, with improved relations with the dictator in Belarus, the Trump Administration announced the nomination of  career diplomat Julie Fisher as the first U.S. Ambassador to Minsk since 2008. She was confirmed in December 2020. In April this year, the new ambassador was reportedly to reside in Lithuania temporarily as she was not granted a visa for Belarus.

Last week Belarus informed us it is imposing new limits on American diplomats at the @USEmbBy. Unfortunately, the Belarusian authorities have brought our relationship to this point through relentless & intensifying repression against their own citizens https://t.co/gYU91C2h3v pic.twitter.com/7md0Ee9RJs

— U.S. Mission to OSCE (@usosce) June 13, 2021

Fond farewell from U.S. diplomats who have been compelled by the regime to depart #Belarus. These outstanding people cared deeply about its future and worked to support Belarusians' aspirations for a democracy. Those remaining will continue this vital work. #StandwithBelarus pic.twitter.com/BfzWTrX7o5

— U.S. Embassy Minsk (@USEmbBy) June 12, 2021

“I underscored the strong bipartisan commitment… for holding the Lukashenka regime accountable for its ongoing human rights violations, the horrific treatment and torture of political prisoners…”

Chair @RepGregoryMeeks on his call with @USAmbBelarus.https://t.co/L9OBO0zbGY

— House Foreign Affairs Committee (@HouseForeign) June 11, 2021

The United States, in coordination with allies, will impose new sanctions on Belarus "soon," US Ambassador to Belarus Julie Fisher said https://t.co/BSrZCqwGiq

— CNN International (@cnni) June 10, 2021

Despite latest action by the Govt of Belarus, @USAID programs will remain active. We continue to stand by the people of Belarus and remain committed to a partnership that generates new opportunities for citizens to live with dignity and self-determination.https://t.co/7dXgN0oWKm

— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) June 4, 2021

Actions have consequences. As a result of the Lukashenka regime's continued disregard for human rights, the U.S. has terminated authorization for business dealings with nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises. The regime's escalation of repressive tactics will not go unanswered. https://t.co/xodrJSgSNb

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 3, 2021

Related posts:

• U.S. Ambassador to Belarus Julie Fisher to Temporarily Reside in Lithuania  2021
• Trump to Nominate Career Diplomat Julie D. Fisher to be U.S. Ambassador to Belarus 2020
• Detained Ex-Campaign Staffer and Diplomatic Spouse Vitali Shkliarov Leaves Belarus 2020
• UK does not accept results of fraudulent Presidential election in Belarus, and US says what? 2020
• U.S. Announces Exchange of Ambassadors With Belarus After Meeting With Lukashenka 2019
• Photo of the Day: Cheesehead Meets the Big Cheese in Belarus 2016
• More on the Belarus Dustup 2008