The outreach to Belarus’s autocratic leader, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, coincides with the release of at least 14 political prisoners in the country.
In an attempt to engage with Belarus, President Trump dispatched a special envoy to meet with Lukashenko in Minsk, marking the first interaction between a senior White House official and the Belarusian leader in over five years. Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general and envoy for Russia and Ukraine, held discussions with Lukashenko, who is a key ally of Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Kellogg's visit represents a significant shift from the Biden administration’s strategy of isolating Belarus through economic sanctions. Although there are no immediate indications that sanctions will be lifted, John Coale, Kellogg’s deputy, noted that the visit facilitated the release of 14 political prisoners from Belarusian jails. The freed individuals, including dissident Sergei Tikhanovsky, arrived in neighboring Lithuania.
According to Natalia Eismont, Lukashenko’s spokeswoman, the discussions lasted six and a half hours and addressed various topics, including sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and Belarus's relations with Russia and China. During the meeting at the Independence Palace, Kellogg remarked on the opulence of the venue, drawing a comparison to Mar-a-Lago.
Lukashenko, who appeared welcoming during the talks, expressed a desire for a normal dialogue between Belarus and the United States. Kellogg was joined in Minsk by Christopher W. Smith, a deputy assistant secretary of state, who previously visited Belarus seeking a potential agreement for the release of political prisoners in exchange for a reduction in sanctions.
The recent release of prisoners is part of a gradual process, with a total of 1,186 political prisoners still reported to be incarcerated, according to human rights group Viasna. The backdrop of Kellogg’s visit included the challenge of addressing the close relationship between Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir V. Putin.
Unlike previous diplomatic efforts aimed at distancing Belarus from Moscow, Kellogg’s approach appears more focused on securing Lukashenko’s cooperation for a potential peace deal regarding Ukraine. Belarus has served as a logistical base for Russian military operations but has refrained from sending its troops into Ukraine.
Balazs Jarabik, a former EU diplomat, characterized Trump’s decision to send a special envoy to Belarus as a significant diplomatic advancement, recognizing Belarus as a crucial player in regional diplomacy. He emphasized that Belarus is now seen as a geopolitical challenge rather than merely a moral issue.
During the talks, Kellogg highlighted the importance of wisdom and fairness in navigating current global crises. Lukashenko assured Kellogg of his safety in Belarus and claimed there would be no escalation of tensions in the region. Despite the engagement with the U.S., Lukashenko has maintained his allegiance to Russia, evidenced by his recent meeting with a top Russian security official.
Western policymakers have grappled with how to approach Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994 and has faced criticism for his increasingly undemocratic rule, including controversial elections.