Ukraine will appoint a special representative for Belarus to step up diplomatic pressure
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing candidates for the position of ambassador-at-large, who will be responsible for Belarusian affairs.
This was announced by Ilya Kvas, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for Unfriendly Countries, who noted that the official appointment is expected within the next one to two months.
The new position involves not only working with official structures but also systematic engagement with the Belarusian democratic community in Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed in his recent addresses that this step is part of a strategy to strengthen Ukrainian interests in countries under Russian influence.
“I think that within the next month or two, there will be news regarding the appointment within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of an ambassador-at-large whose responsibilities will include these issues. I also do not rule out that certain decisions may be made by the President of Ukraine,” noted Ilya Kvas during his speech at the Regional Security Forum “Path to Freedom.”
The shift in Kyiv’s policy became particularly noticeable in early 2026, when Ukraine imposed a package of sanctions against Belarus’s self-proclaimed president, Alexander Lukashenko.
The decision was justified by the growing military threat, specifically the deployment of Russian “Oreshnik” systems and drone control centers on Belarusian territory.
In parallel with the pressure on the regime, Ukraine initiated an official dialogue with the Belarusian opposition.
In late January 2026, a meeting took place between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Vilnius, during which they discussed coordinating actions on the international stage and providing assistance to the Belarusian diaspora.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing candidates for the appointment of a special representative for Belarus and the Belarusian community in Europe—a more active policy is needed,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized, adding that Ukraine’s interests must be represented at all levels where freedom is lacking.
As a reminder, Belarus released the detained trucks to return to Lithuania.
Belarus has also begun military exercises near the Polish border.
