Belarus Seeks Dialogue with Ukraine to Help End War with Russia

Belarus is signaling a potential diplomatic shift as its security chief announced efforts to establish communication with Ukraine in hopes of helping resolve the ongoing war with Russia. Ivan Tertel, head of Belarus’s KGB security agency, told state television that engaging with Ukrainian officials is essential to finding “a consensus” and easing regional tensions. His comments were reported by the state-run Belta news agency on Sunday.

Tertel emphasized that these talks are part of a broader initiative led by President Alexander Lukashenko to stabilize the situation in Eastern Europe. “Our president is working as much as he can to stabilize the region,” he said, adding that Belarus seeks “quiet talks and compromise” to balance the interests of both sides in the conflict.

Although Belarus allowed Russian forces to use its territory to launch the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, it has not committed its own troops to combat. Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994, remains a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin but appears increasingly interested in positioning Belarus as a potential mediator.

Recent diplomatic activity suggests Minsk is attempting to reduce its isolation from the West. Reports indicate that a senior Belarusian diplomat recently met with European representatives to improve relations that have long been strained due to human rights concerns and election controversies.

Adding to the changing dynamics, U.S. President Donald Trump has reached out to Lukashenko, describing him as a “highly respected leader” and sending an envoy to Minsk. This diplomatic outreach reportedly resulted in the release of more than 50 political prisoners.

Last month, Lukashenko also expressed his desire to speak directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to help mediate an end to the war — a move that could mark a notable step toward dialogue in a region struggling with prolonged conflict.