The Ukraine conflict and regional security are on the agenda, Ivan Tertel has told journalists
The Ukraine conflict is a primary issue on the agenda of the ongoing dialogue between Washington and Minsk, the head of the Belarusian security service (KGB), Ivan Tertel, has told journalists.
The two nations are also discussing broader regional security, he said, adding that the dialogue has already contributed to stability in the area.
The US recognizes the regional expertise possessed by Minsk, which it could use in both resolving the Ukraine conflict and alleviating tensions in the region, the security chief stated after a government meeting led by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday. Both Belarus and the US are interested in bringing the hostilities to an end, he added.
”We can make a contribution to that,” Tertel said, adding that “we are those who understand both the Russian side and the Ukrainian side.” Minsk “could find consensus in this most difficult situation” due to its alliance with Russia, close relations with Ukraine and active dialogue with the US, he stated.
The two nations are looking for “mutually acceptable solutions” to issues in various fields, Tertel said, adding that they had been able to “reach consensus” on a number of topics. Both Minsk and Washington follow “a pragmatic, rational approach” based on national interests, according to the security chief.
According to Tertel, both Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump are “deeply invested” in the dialogue. “We have all the chances of reaching a breakthrough in relations with the US,” the KGB boss stated, adding that Minsk is “open” for dialogue with other Western nations as well.
Lukashenko also said on Tuesday that Minsk is ready for a “big deal” with Washington, but only if its interests are taken into account.
The developments came amid a thaw in relations between the US and Belarus following a period of heightened tensions under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden.
In September, Washington granted sanctions relief to the Belarusian national airline Belavia as part of a deal under which Minsk released more than 50 prisoners, including those accused of stirring unrest. The US military officers also joined the Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 drills later the same month.
