The New York Times described Lukashenko as Russia’s closest ally and a “central figure in a decades long struggle between East and West in the former Soviet Union”. Kellogg’s visit signaled a sharp turn away from the Biden administration’s policy of trying to isolate and punish Belarus by tightening economic sanctions.

US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg has discussed Russia's war against Ukraine with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Kellogg wrote on his X. Kellogg reminded that the American delegation met with Lukashenko and his team in Minsk.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is planning to cancel his attendance at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) summit in the Hague, a source with direct knowledge said on Monday.