Overview

• U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg became the highest-ranking American official to visit Belarus since Washington suspended embassy operations in Minsk in 2022.
• The two leaders discussed global political tensions and bilateral relations during their meeting at the Palace of Independence.
• The visit has raised expectations for the release of nearly 1,200 recognized political prisoners in Belarus.
• U.S. officials view the engagement as a potential catalyst to revive stalled peace negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
• The White House has not issued an official statement following the meeting.