The United States has adviced families of its government employees in Belarus to leave the country.
This was revealed by the State Department on Monday, as fears grow of a Russian invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
The order came hours after Washington and Moscow clashed over Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council, after Washington threatened to sanction Russian oligarchs if the ex-Soviet state is attacked.
Earlier on Monday, the US accused Russia of planning to build its military force in its ally Belarus to 30,000 within weeks.
Recall that Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops on its borders with Ukraine, sending tensions soaring with intense efforts by NATO allies to deter an invasion.