U.S. Slams Belarus' Request to Cut Embassy Staff in Minsk

The United States said Friday the request from Belarus to further cut U.S. embassy staff in Minsk is "unwarranted and unjustified."

"We believe this latest request, like several before it, is unwarranted and unjustified," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

"We will certainly be continuing to discuss that issue with the government of Belarus, but I'm aware of no plans to make such a drawdown of embassy staff," Casey said.

According to media reports, Belarus has said it is cutting staff in its Washington embassy and demanded the United States to do the same.

Belarus asked U.S. ambassador to Belarus Karen Stewart to leave in March and recalled its envoy to the United States.

According to the Foreign Ministry of Belarus, the moves have been taken to retaliate against Washington's new sanctions on Belarus' national oil products firm Belneftekhim last year.

Bilateral ties between the United States and Belarus have been chilly.