Belarus–United States relations

Last updated
Belarusian-American relations
Belarus USA Locator.svg
Flag of Belarus.svg
Belarus 		Flag of the United States.svg
United States

Interstate relations between the United States and Belarus began in 1991 upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union, of which Belarus had been a part. However, the relations have turned sour due to accusations by the United States that Belarus has been violating human rights. Belarus, in turn, has accused the United States of interfering in its internal affairs.

Contents

In 2008, Belarus recalled its ambassador from Washington and insisted that the Ambassador of the United States must leave Minsk. [1]

According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, only 20% of Belarusians approve of U.S. leadership, with 30% disapproving and 50% uncertain, the fourth-lowest rating for any surveyed country in Europe. [2]

1991 through 2000

On 25 December 1991, the United States recognized the independence of the Republic of Belarus, and on 28 December, Belarus and the United States established diplomatic relations. On 31 January 1992, the U.S. Embassy was officially opened in Minsk. In 1993, the embassy of Belarus was opened in Washington. [3] Prime Minister of Belarus Vyacheslav Kebich received visiting U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher on 26 October 1993, promising new presidential elections. [4]

On 15 January 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Minsk on a 6-hour state visit, following a recent visit to Moscow and acting as a preceding a visit to Switzerland. It was considered to be a "thank you" visit after Belarus agreed to transfer their Soviet nuclear stockpile to Russia. He was received by Chairman Stanislav Shushkevich at Minsk National Airport, after which Clinton laid a wreath on Victory Square and met with youth in the Academy of Sciences, as well as visited Kurapaty (wooded area on the outskirts of Minsk where a vast number of people were executed during the Great Purge by the NKVD). [5] [6] [7] Clinton, as well as First Lady Hillary Clinton and their daughter Chelsea, also met children suffering from illnesses during a visit to Pediatric Hospital No. 4. [8]

A memorial bench in Kurapaty presented by Bill Clinton Minsk. Kurapaty (21).jpg
A memorial bench in Kurapaty presented by Bill Clinton

The United States has encouraged Belarus to conclude and adhere to agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the program of macroeconomic stabilization and related reform measures, as well as to undertake increased privatization and to create a favorable climate for business and investment. Although there has been some American direct private investment in Belarus, its development has been relatively slow given the uncertain pace of reform.

An Overseas Private Investment Corporation agreement was signed in June 1992 but has been suspended since 1995 because Belarus did not fulfill its obligations under the agreement. Belarus is eligible for Export-Import Bank short-term financing insurance for U.S. investments, but because of the adverse business climate, no projects have been initiated.

2001 through 2004

President of the U.S. George W. Bush discussing Belarus with the President of Ukraine, Yushchenko Bush Yushchenko 2005.jpg
President of the U.S. George W. Bush discussing Belarus with the President of Ukraine, Yushchenko

In early September 2001, the United States condemned Belarus for having irregularities in the recent election, causing Alexander Lukashenko to be re-elected. However, this criticism was short lived, as the United States came under the September 11, 2001 attacks two days later.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, several American intelligence agencies accused Belarus of providing a safe haven for the deposed leader, Saddam Hussein, and his sons, Uday and Qusay. The only evidence that was presented was a cargo flight from the Iraqi capital of Baghdad to the Belarusian capital of Minsk, documentation of which was found after the capture of the Baghdad airport in April 2003. While some sources said that Lukashenko was close to Saddam and Saddam had thought about leaving Iraq to go to Belarus, Saddam was found in Iraq in December 2003 and his sons were killed in Iraq a few months earlier.

Belarus-U.S. relations were further strained after Congress unanimously passed the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, which the Belarusian government believes interferes with Belarusian internal affairs.

2006 through 2019

The American embassy in Minsk Embassy of USA in Belarus (Minsk, February 2020) p7.jpg
The American embassy in Minsk
The American embassy in Minsk, consular section Embassy of USA in Belarus (Minsk, February 2020) p3 -- consular section.jpg
The American embassy in Minsk, consular section

Following the 2006 Belarusian presidential election, US introduced sanctions against Belarus individuals and companies for "the actions and policies... to undermine Belarus' democratic processes or institutions, manifested most recently in the fundamentally undemocratic March 2006 elections, to commit human rights abuses related to political repression, including detentions and disappearances, and to engage in public corruption including by diverting or misusing Belarusian public assets or by misusing public authority." [9] The assets of said persons and companies in the US are frozen and transactions with them are prohibited.

The sanctions list, as of January 2017, contains the following persons:

The list of the companies sanctioned includes Belshina, Belneftekhim, Polotsk-Steklovolokno, Grodno Azot, Naftan and others. [10]

One of the few bilateral events during this period in relations was the visit to Minsk by the United States Air Forces in Europe Band in May 2015, where they performed at the Brest Fortress and the 2015 Minsk Victory Day Parade in honor of the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazism. [11]

2019 to present

Lukashenko with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2020 Secretary Pompeo Meets With Belarusian President Lukashenko (49473917277).jpg
Lukashenko with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2020
Lukashenko with National Security Adviser John Bolton in 2019 John Bolton and Belarusian President Lukashenko in Minsk.jpg
Lukashenko with National Security Adviser John Bolton in 2019

On August 29, 2019, National Security Adviser John Bolton met with Lukashenko in Minsk to discuss improving relations between the two countries. [12] On 1 February 2020, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Belarus for the first time in 26 years, to offer American aid after Russian decision to cut off energy supplies. [13] In July 2020, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko was appointed Belarusian Ambassador to the United States. [14]

In August 2020, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said security forces had arrested "a number of" U.S. citizens, just days before the country went to the polls for a presidential election. In the speech, Lukashenko claimed Belarus was the victim of a "hybrid war", and that "we should expect dirty tricks from any side". [15]

In the aftermath of the 2020 Presidential elections, Secretary Pompeo voiced his deep concerns about how the election was "Not free and fair". In addition, he urged the Belarusian security forces to respect their citizens right to peacefully assemble, refrain from using force, and release persons who were wrongfully detained. [16]

In May 2021 the United States and other countries denounced Belarus' authorities forcing Ryanair Flight 4978 to land in Belarus' territory. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

On 28 February 2022, the United States suspended its embassy in Belarus following intelligence from Ukraine that the country was preparing to join with its ally Russia in invading Ukraine. [23]

Trade

Belarus — United States trade volume (million USD, according to Belstat): [24]

Largest export positions of Belarus (2017, according to Belstat): [25]

Largest export positions of USA (2017, according to Belstat): [26]

Diplomatic missions

The Embassy of Belarus in Washington D.C. Embassy of Belarus.jpg
The Embassy of Belarus in Washington D.C.

The Embassy of Belarus in Washington, D.C. is located at 1619 New Hampshire Avenue, Northwest, Washington, D.C., in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. [27] The embassy also operates a Consulate-General in New York City. [28] The Chargé d'Affaires ad interim is Dmitry Basik. [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus</span> Country in Eastern Europe

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Covering an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) and with a population of 9.2 million, Belarus is the 13th-largest and the 20th-most populous country in Europe. The country has a hemiboreal climate and is administratively divided into six regions. Minsk is the capital and largest city; it is administered separately as a city with special status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of Belarus</span> Overview of the foreign relations of Belarus

The Byelorussian SSR was one of only two Soviet republics to be separate members of the United Nations. Both republics and the Soviet Union joined the UN when the organization was founded in 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Lukashenko</span> President of Belarus since 1994

Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko is a Belarusian politician who has been the president of Belarus since the office's establishment in 1994. This makes him the longest-serving European president.

Belavia, formally Belavia Belarusian Airlines, is the flag carrier of Belarus, headquartered in Minsk. The state-owned company had, as of 2007, 1,017 employees. Belavia serves a network of routes between Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as some Middle East destinations, from its base at Minsk National Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus</span> Belarusian national intelligence agency

The State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus is the national intelligence agency of Belarus. Along with its counterparts in Transnistria and South Ossetia, it kept the unreformed name after declaring independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Mutual relations between the Republic of Belarus and the European Union (EU) were initially established after the European Economic Community recognised Belarusian independence in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Belarus)</span> Belarusian government ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus is the Belarusian government ministry which oversees the foreign relations of Belarus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–Ukraine relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belarus and Ukraine are both are full members of the Baku Initiative and Central European Initiative. In 2020, during the Belarusian protests against president Lukashenko, the relationship between Ukraine and Belarus began to deteriorate, after the Ukrainian government criticized Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. In the waning days of 2021, the relationship between both countries rapidly deteriorated, culminating in a full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Belarus has allowed the stationing of Russian troops and equipment in its territory and its use as a springboard for offensives into northern Ukraine but has denied the presence of Belarusian troops in Ukraine. Even though part of the Russian invasion was launched from Belarus, Ukraine did not break off diplomatic relations with Belarus, but remain frozen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–Latvia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Currently, Belarus has an embassy in Riga, while Latvia has an embassy in Minsk. The countries share 161 km as it relates to their common border. In May 2021 the relations were de facto terminated as both countries were expelling each other's diplomats of the corresponding embassy, Latvia was insisting to use an inaccurate opposition flag as a representation for Belarus in the Ice Hockey World Championship in Riga over the Ryanair Flight 4978 diplomatic row. Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei called Latvia's move 'an act of international vandalism' and called for an apology and return the legal green, red and white flag to its original place. The Belarusian government reacted with expelling every Latvian diplomat including the Ambassador inside the country, with Latvia following with the same response. The Zurich-based International Ice Hockey Federation sided with Belarus and asked the mayor of Riga to urgently take down the IIHF flags to protest to what the body called a political gesture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–Lithuania relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belarus and Lithuania established diplomatic relations on 24 October 1991, shortly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The two countries share 680 kilometres (420 mi) of common border. Lithuania's border with Belarus is the country's longest border. For Belarus it is its 3rd-longest border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–Turkmenistan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belarus has an embassy in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan has an embassy in Minsk. Both countries are full members of the UN, and the OSCE. Belarus is a full member and Turkmenistan is associated with the CIS. Currently, the ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belarus is Murad Yazberdyev. The Belarusian Ambassador to Turkmenistan is Oleg Tabanyuhov.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Belarusian presidential election</span> Presidential election in Belarus

Presidential elections were held in Belarus on 19 December 2010. The elections had originally been planned for the beginning of 2011. However, the final date was set during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly on 14 September 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–Iraq relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belarus does not have an embassy in Baghdad, but it does maintain a consulate in Erbil. Iraq has an embassy in Minsk. The last Ambassador of Iraq to Belarus was Haidar Hadi who served from July 2010 to November 2015. Since his post expired, there has been no Iraqi Ambassador in Belarus. Both are members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Belarusian presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Belarus on Sunday, 9 August 2020. Early voting began on 4 August and ran until 8 August.

The Investigative Committee of Belarus is a preliminary inquiry body that reports to the President of Belarus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belarus–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

Belarus–NATO relations refers to relations between the Republic of Belarus and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Industry of Belarus</span>

Industry plays an important role in the economy of Belarus. In 2020, industry accounted for 25.5% of Belarusian GDP. Share of manufacturing in Belarusian GDP was 21.3% in 2019. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe described Belarus as having "a well-developed industrial sector and highly skilled workforce". In 2020, 23.5% of Belarusian workforce was employed in industry. In 2019, total industrial production amounted to 115.7 billion Belarusian rubles ; in 2020, it rose to Rbls 116.5 billion. Belarusian industry is export-oriented: in 2020, 61.2% of industrial output was exported. The most important sector is food industry. Other well-developed sectors of industry include chemical industry, automotive industry and manufacturing of other machinery equipment.

Dzianis Melyantsou, is a Belarusian political scientist and commentator of foreign relations of Belarus. He is criticised for propaganda in Belarus and lobbyism of the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus</span>

National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus is a Belarusian government organization responsible for the collection, analysis and publication of the national statistics.

References

  1. ↑ Belarus, U.S. 'Ready' To Discuss Return Of Ambassadors April 29, 2016
  2. ↑ U.S. Global Leadership Project Report - 2012 Gallup
  3. ↑ "МЕЖДУНАРОДНОЕ ПРИЗНАНИЕ РЕСПУБЛИКИ БЕЛОРУССИЯ". Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  4. ↑ "Clinton Visit is 'Reward' for Belarus". Christian Science Monitor. 14 January 1994.
  5. ↑ Erlanger, Steven (14 January 1994). "CLINTON IN EUROPE; in Belarus, Memorials Define a Nation". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ "US President Bill Clinton Visited Minsk 24 Years Ago". charter97.org. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  7. ↑ "President Clinton in Minsk Jan. 15 1994" – via www.youtube.com.
  8. ↑ "Clinton Hails Belarus for Arms Policy : Europe: President stops in former Soviet republic to commend it for giving up its nuclear weapons. But he also reprimands lawmakers for their resistance to political and economic reforms". Los Angeles Times . 16 January 1994.
  9. ↑ "Executive Order Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus" (PDF). United States Department of the Treasury. 19 June 2006.
  10. ↑ "Belarus Sanctions". United States Department of the Treasury . Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  11. ↑ "United States Air Force in Europe Band Visit to Belarus". U.S. Embassy in Belarus. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  12. ↑ "Ukrinform: Lukashenko, Bolton discuss situation in eastern Ukraine | KyivPost - Ukraine's Global Voice". 2019-08-30.
  13. ↑ "Secretary of State Pompeo Says U.S. Can Supply Belarus With Oil and Gas After Russia Cut Off Supplies". Time. 1 February 2020. Archived from the original on February 1, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Belarus president appoints ambassadors to USA, Netherlands, Austria, UK, Kazakhstan". 20 July 2020.
  15. ↑ "Opposition floods Belarus capital as president hits out at foreign 'dirty tricks'". Reuters. 6 August 2020.
  16. ↑ "Presidential Elections in Belarus". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  17. ↑ "Why Belarus Grounding of Ryanair Flight Broke International Law". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "Belarus And The Diversion Of Ryanair Flight 4978". Radio Free Europe. 26 May 2021. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  19. ↑ "Roman Protasevich: The young dissident who Belarus diverted a Ryanair flight to arrest". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  20. ↑ Buckley, Julia (31 May 2021). "How Belarus 'hijacking' has redrawn Europe's air map". CNN. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  21. ↑ Suliman, Adela (4 May 2021). "Belarus faces international fury after using fighter jet to land airliner, seize journalist". NBC News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  22. ↑ Applebaum, Anne (24 May 2021). "Other Regimes Will Hijack Planes Too". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  23. ↑ Tapper, Jake (28 February 2022). "Ukrainian intel suggests Belarus is prepared to join Russian invasion and US suspends operations at embassy". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  24. ↑ "Внешняя торговля". www.belstat.gov.by.
  25. ↑ Внешняя торговля Республики Беларусь, 2018 Archived 2020-10-04 at the Wayback Machine . — С. 181—182.
  26. ↑ Внешняя торговля Республики Беларусь, 2018 Archived 2020-10-04 at the Wayback Machine . — С. 319—322.
  27. ↑ "Embassy.org: The Republic of Belarus". Embassy.org. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  28. ↑ "belembassy.org - Diese Website steht zum Verkauf! - Informationen zum Thema Посольства адреса координаты". Usa.belembassy.org. Archived from the original on 22 October 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  29. ↑ "Сотрудники - Посольство Республики Беларусь в Соединённых Штатах Америки". usa.mfa.gov.by. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.