Belarus–United States relations
bilateral relations between United States and Belarus
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.
In the 2000s, relations between the two states had turned sour, with the United States accusing Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of human rights violations amid their closening of relations with Russia, while Belarus responded by demanding that the U.S. not intervene in its internal affairs. In 2008, Belarus recalled its ambassador from Washington and insisted that the Ambassador of the United States must leave Minsk. According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, only 20% of Belarusians approved of U.S. leadership, the fourth-lowest rating for any surveyed country in Europe. Various sanctions have been applied by the U.S. against Belarus, most significantly following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Under the second presidency of Donald Trump, which began in 2025, the two countries have taken steps aimed at improving relations, with U.S. delegations frequently visiting Belarus, resulting in the freeing of political prisoners held by Belarus per U.S. requests and the removal of some U.S. sanctions. Trump has since praised Lukashenko, positively describing relations between the two nations despite significant restrictions remaining in place, while Lukashenko has sought, thus far unsuccessfully, to serve as a channel for the West to communicate with his ally, President Vladimir Putin of Russia amid strained relations.
Initial cooperation
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.
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