Belarus intends to close Ukrainian embassy, Ukraine's MFA urges not to escalate situation

This was stated by the spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Heorhiy Tykhyi, Liga.net reports.

Tykhyi said that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had seen statements by Belarus about the possibility of closing the Ukrainian embassy in Minsk: they are being studied and analyzed.

"To be honest, we don't see much point in responding to them, because the Belarusian side is known for many statements that should not be responded to," he said. 

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that Ukraine calls on Belarus "not to escalate these anti-Ukrainian sentiments and not to create this impression of some imaginary threats that do not exist." According to him, Ukraine will monitor Minsk's actions and statements and respond to them accordingly.

• On August 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus summoned Charge d'Affaires of Ukraine Olha Tymush, telling her that the country may raise the issue of the presence of the Ukrainian Embassy in Minsk. This is in response to a statement by self-proclaimed President Lukashenko about the alleged shooting down of several attack drones from Ukraine by air defense forces the previous evening.