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Belarus announced on Thursday that it was unable to attend the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace in Washington after failing to receive the required U.S. visas. The development adds another layer of complexity to ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Belarus, a close ally of Russia that is often excluded from major international gatherings.
According to Belarus’ Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov was scheduled to participate in the high-profile meeting, and U.S. officials had been formally notified of the delegation’s plans. However, despite completing all necessary procedures, the Belarusian delegation did not receive entry visas in time. In a statement, the ministry questioned the credibility of peace-building efforts if “basic formalities” such as visa issuance could not be resolved.
Belarus has faced extensive Western sanctions for years over alleged human rights violations under President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994. Sanctions intensified significantly after Minsk allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory during Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The geopolitical fallout further strained Belarus–U.S. relations and limited Minsk’s participation in international forums.
In recent months, however, President Trump has made diplomatic overtures toward Belarus as part of a broader normalization strategy. Some sanctions were eased in exchange for the release of detainees described by Western governments as political prisoners. Lukashenko reportedly accepted an invitation last month to join the Board of Peace, which was initially proposed by Trump in September alongside his plan to end the Israel-Gaza war. The board’s mandate has since expanded to address other global conflicts.
Trump has referred to Lukashenko as a “highly respected” leader, a characterization sharply criticized by Belarusian opposition figures in exile, who label him a dictator. Representatives from 47 countries attended the Board of Peace meeting, highlighting its international scope despite Belarus’ absence.
