**US Envoy to Meet Belarusian Leader in Bid to Reboot Ukraine Peace Talks**
In a move that could signal a shift in the West’s approach to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg is set to meet with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the coming days. The meeting, which comes as peace talks remain inconclusive, has been hailed by some as an opportunity to reboot stalled negotiations.
According to Reuters, which first reported the news on June 17, Kellogg’s visit is seen as a key moment in efforts to weaken Russia’s influence over Belarus and bring Minsk closer to the United States. The meeting could also be a crucial step towards reinitiating peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, two sources told Reuters.
Lukashenko has been a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout his 27-year rule, but tensions have grown in recent months as Belarus faces increasing isolation from the West over its support for Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. The White House has reportedly discussed ways to reduce Belarus’s reliance on Russia and improve ties with the US.
The visit comes just weeks after a similar unannounced meeting between US Deputy Assistant State Secretary Christopher W. Smith and Lukashenko in February. That meeting resulted in a prisoner swap, but has also been seen as an attempt by the West to engage with Minsk despite its close ties with Moscow.
Lukashenko’s own legitimacy has long been disputed, with many accusing him of staging fraudulent elections over the years. His most recent victory in January was widely condemned as illegitimate, and a new presidential election is due to be held on August 9.
The meeting between Kellogg and Lukashenko could signal a significant shift in US policy towards Belarus, which has been subject to Western sanctions since its own disputed presidential election in 2020. The move may also mark an effort by the West to pressure Belarus into distancing itself from Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
However, some experts have cautioned that such efforts are unlikely to bear fruit while Lukashenko remains firmly entrenched in power. “Lukashenko has shown no signs of willingness to reform or engage with the West,” one analyst said. “It’s unclear what tangible benefits this visit will bring for Belarus or its people.”
As tensions remain high between Russia and Ukraine, the meeting between Kellogg and Lukashenko takes on added significance. Any progress made in these talks could be crucial in bringing an end to the ongoing conflict.
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