Description: US Special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellog is set to visit Belarus where he would reportedly extend efforts to jump start negotiations between the warring countries. Kellog’s trip, although not confirmed, would mark the highest-level state visit to an adversarial country since former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit in 2020. The information around Kellog’s visit indirectly emphasizes that the US is still invested in mediating the war between Ukraine and Russia as it adopts other negotiating methods such as obtaining support from Russian – allied countries.
Impact: Kellog’s alleged visit to Belarus even though confirms consistent US involvement in the mediating process around the war in Ukraine, lacks direction and sparks confusion over diplomatic strategy on the US side going forward. Steven Witkoff, the US Special envoy for the Middle East, has so far met on several occasions with Putin to no avail, while Kellog’s direct inclusion at this point in the negotiations signals a stricter and more experienced approach. Tapping Belarus at this point ignites concerns over the erratic approach from the US towards the war, however, could set the basis for a mediated ceasefire through devising channels of communication with countries within Russia’s geopolitical orbit such as Belarus.