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.
In Belarus – U.S. relations, the process of normalization continued until August 2020. The atmosphere of mutual trust was gradually restored. The level and intensity of bilateral contacts increased. The parties reached an agreement on the restoration of a full-fledged diplomatic presence at the level of ambassadors.
Russia is Belarus' largest and most important economic and political partner. Both are members of various international organizations, including the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and the United Nations.
The United States recognized Belarusian independence on December 25, 1991. After the two countries established diplomatic relations, the U.S. Embassy in Minsk was officially opened on January 31, 1992.
A few days into the war, Belarus scrapped its neutral status, giving it legal cover to host Russian troops and weapons. In March 2023, Putin said Russia would station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, while retaining control of them. Three months later he said the first had been delivered.
Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has supported its eastern neighbour in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite all promises by authorities, most Belarusians are afraid that in case of unification with Russia either they or their children would have to take part in military conflicts in Russia and an even greater proportion believe that war could come to Belarus in the form of terrorist attacks.
Russia remains the largest and most important partner for Belarus both in the political and economic fields.
The United States supports a sovereign, independent Belarus which respects the rights and voices of the Belarusian people. On December 25, 1991, the United States recognized the independence of the Republic of Belarus, and on December 28, 1991, Belarus and the United States established diplomatic relations.
The military commandants of the Armed Forces of Belarus are regional administrations tasked with overseeing Belarusian regiments in the commandant's territory. Units are assigned to a specific commandant based on their location. There are 6 military commandants in the Belarusian Armed Forces.
Australia doesn't have an embassy in Belarus. Contact the Australian Embassy in Russia for consular help. Our ability to provide consular assistance is severely limited. The Australian Government will not be able to evacuate you from Belarus.
China appreciates Belarus' support for the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and is ready to work with Belarus to strengthen coordination and cooperation at multilateral fora including the United Nations, so as to jointly respond to global challenges and build a human ...
Belarus is willing to maintain and expand constructive cooperation with NATO on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Belarus is the world's 74th-largest economy by GDP. $79.7 billion (nominal, 2022 est.) $201.967 billion (PPP, 2022 est.)
Belarus, which since 2023 again claims to host Russian nuclear weapons, also had single warhead missiles stationed on its territory into the 1990s, having been a constituent of the Soviet Union.
There is little crime in Belarus, but be alert to the possibility of street crime and theft from vehicles or hotel rooms.
Belarus–China relations refers to the bilateral relations between Belarus and the People's Republic of China. Relations have been generally positive, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko advocating that Belarus should take an approach of "understanding China, learning from China, and approaching China."
The United States has imposed stringent export controls on Russia and on Belarus, which has helped enable Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. Embassy Minsk, Belarus.
Belarus: Russia's Closest Ally
A neighbor of both Russia and Ukraine, Belarus's Russia-dependent strongman Alexander Lukashenko has given Russia unrestricted access to its air space and land to attack Ukraine. Belarus has also provided logistical and medical support to Russian forces.
Orthodox is the principal religion of Belarus. There are over 1000 Orthodox churches in Belarus and an increasing number of cloisters are being revived. Many of the country's most famous monuments and architectural attractions are inspired by the Orthodox tradition.
Belarus and Japan have been actively cooperating in the UN and other international organizations. Bilateral consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries and visits by the heads of foreign ministries to Minsk and Tokyo contribute to effective cooperation in this area.
The move, Moscow's first deployment of such warheads - shorter-range nuclear weapons that could potentially be used on the battlefield - outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union was intended as a warning to the West about arming and supporting Ukraine, the Russian leader said.
Russia has already stationed a first batch of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, Vladimir Putin says. Russia's president told a forum they would only be used if Russia's territory or state was threatened.