Fact Check: "Kellogg would be highest-ranking US official to visit Belarus in years"
What We Know
The claim that Keith Kellogg would be the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Belarus in years is supported by multiple sources. According to a report from Reuters, if Kellogg meets with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, it would mark the highest-level visit by a U.S. official since Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited in February 2020. This assertion is echoed by TASS, which confirms Kellogg's planned visit and reiterates that it would be significant in the context of U.S.-Belarus relations.
Historically, U.S. diplomatic engagement with Belarus has been limited, particularly following the controversial presidential elections in 2020 and the subsequent crackdown on protests. The U.S. Embassy in Minsk has been operating with reduced staff since 2008, and the relationship has been strained due to various geopolitical tensions, including Belarus's support for Russia during the Ukraine conflict (U.S.-Belarus Relations).
Analysis
The sources supporting this claim are credible and provide a consistent narrative. The information from Reuters and TASS is particularly relevant, as they are established news agencies known for reporting on international relations. The context of the visit is also significant; it comes at a time when Belarus is attempting to thaw its relations with the West, as evidenced by recent prisoner releases and diplomatic overtures (New York Times).
The reliability of the sources is bolstered by their track record in covering U.S. foreign policy and Belarusian affairs. However, it is important to note that while the claim is substantiated by these reports, the actual impact of Kellogg's visit on U.S.-Belarus relations remains to be seen, especially given the complex political landscape.
Conclusion
The claim that Kellogg would be the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Belarus in years is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that if the visit occurs, it will indeed represent a significant diplomatic engagement after a long period of limited interaction between the two nations.
Sources
- U.S.- Belarus Relations - U.S. Embassy in Belarus
- Visits By Foreign Leaders of Belarus - Office of the Historian
- Trump's Ukraine envoy to meet Belarus' Lukashenko
- Belarus Frees an American and 2 Others as It Tries to Thaw Relations
- US presidential envoy plans to meet with Belarusian president soon
- Koti | Kellogg's
- Kellogg to meet Lukashenko in highest-ranking US visit to Belarus in years
- Historiamme - Kellogg's
