Belarusian president hosts US envoy for Ukraine amid rising global tensions

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on Saturday met with US Presidential Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg in the capital Minsk to discuss Belarus–US relations and regional and global security issues, according to the Belarusian presidential press service.

The meeting took place at the Palace of Independence. Welcoming Kellogg and his delegation, Lukashenko remarked on the attention the visit had drawn internationally.

“You have made a lot of noise in the world with your visit,” he said. “But I wonder why. Can’t we have a normal dialogue and talk about our affairs—about relations between Belarus and the United States of America?”

He emphasized the need for genuine engagement, saying: “I really hope that our conversation will be very sincere and open. Otherwise, what is the point of meeting? If we are clever and cunning in front of each other, we will not achieve results.”

Kellogg, a retired US general and national security figure, thanked Lukashenko for the reception.

“We are living in a very dangerous time, when the crises we are facing can sharply escalate and grow if we are not wise and fair,” Kellogg said.

Lukashenko responded: “Mr. General, I promise you that you will be completely safe on the territory of Belarus, and during this time there will be no escalation not only in Belarus, but also around us.”

Belarus has maintained close alignment with Russia throughout the war in Ukraine. Lukashenko has previously positioned his country as a potential venue for peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.