U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg has denied allegations made by Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko that he agreed to work on halting Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russia. The dispute arose following a meeting on June 21 in Minsk, where Lukashenko claimed to have conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position to Kellogg. According to Lukashenko, Putin expressed willingness to consider a ceasefire in Ukraine if Ukrainian forces ceased drone strikes on Russian territory, and claimed Kellogg agreed to explore this possibility. Kellogg, however, has refuted the claim, stating that the remarks were misinterpreted and taken out of context. In a tweet, Kellogg clarified that the discussion during their meeting was focused on a full and unconditional ceasefire, without any specific concessions regarding Ukraine’s military operations against Russia.
The meeting, which marked the highest-level U.S. visit to Belarus since 2020, was seen as a potential thawing of relations between Washington and Minsk. Following the talks, Belarus released political prisoner Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a move the government described as part of the process of political reconciliation. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994 and remains a key ally of the Kremlin, has allowed Russian troops and equipment to use Belarusian territory since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His regime has been accused of enabling Russian military operations while maintaining significant political control over the country.
Kellogg’s public denial comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where both Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate military actions. The situation raises questions about the broader strategic implications for the United States’ approach to the conflict and its relationships with key allies and adversaries. As the international situation evolves, the credibility of diplomatic assurances and the accuracy of political statements will remain critical factors in assessing the potential for conflict resolution and regional stability.