Belarusians Ministry of Foreign Affairs surprised at US Department of State’s reaction

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus said it was surprised at the US Department of State’s reaction to the suggestion to recall US ambassador from Belarus.

“We were surprised to hear that Karen Stewart, US ambassador to Belarus, wasn’t invited to the meeting, deputy minister of foreign affairs Viktar Haisyanok had had with ambassadors of the OSCE countries yesterday in Minsk,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesman said.

“Ms Stewart was sitting at the table opposite deputy minister of foreign affairs Viktar Haisyanok and couldn’t choose but see him,” MFA spokesman noted, Interfax reports. As the Belarusian foreign ministry informs, after the extended meeting with the OSCE countries’ ambassadors, a personal meeting of Karen Stewart with Viktar Haisyanok took place, where the latest informed officially the US ambassador on the position of the Belarusian side and “strongly recommended the US ambassador to leave Belarus for the purpose, Belarusian envoy Mikhail Khvastou left the US, in particular – recalling for consultations.”

As we have already informed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus recalled its envoy from the US and suggested the US side to do the same, Telegraf reports.

“The Belarusian side declares that Belarus will reciprocate by stepping up tough measures. The American side was previously advised of the nature of those measures. One of those measures will be the recalling of the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the US, Mikhail Khvastou, to Minsk for consultations. At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Belarus insistently suggests that the Ambassador of the United States in Minsk, Karen Stewart, should leave our country to the same end,” the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement says.