The Belarusian government has reported that its delegation, led by Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou, was unable to attend the inaugural meeting of the U.S. Peace Council due to delays in visa issuance by the United States.
On February 19, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it had informed the organizers of the Peace Council about the delegation’s participation, as mandated by President Alexander Lukashenko. The ministry asserted that all necessary notifications and documentation had been submitted to U.S. authorities in advance.
Despite these preparations, the visas for the Belarusian delegation were not issued. The ministry raised concerns about the implications of this situation, questioning the sincerity of the peace initiative if basic formalities for participation were not honored.
President Lukashenko had expressed Belarus’s readiness to join the Peace Council and adhere to its principles in a letter signed on January 20. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya commented that the U.S. invitation to join the council does not lend legitimacy to Lukashenko.
Overview of the U.S. Peace Council
On January 14, 2026, the United States announced the second phase of its plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, introducing the Peace Council led by President Donald Trump. This body includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The Peace Council is tasked with acting as an external administration for the Palestinian enclave, overseeing security, reconstruction coordination, and humanitarian aid until reforms are made to the Palestinian National Authority. Reports from Western media outlets, including Bloomberg and Reuters, indicate that the U.S. is offering other nations the opportunity to secure a permanent seat on the council for a fee of $1 billion.
Several countries, including Hungary, Argentina, and Kazakhstan, have expressed interest in joining the initiative. Trump has also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Lukashenko to participate.
Ukraine has also received an invitation to the Peace Council. President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on the difficulty of envisioning collaboration with Russia within such a framework.
During the economic forum in Davos on January 22, Trump introduced the Peace Council, with representatives from various countries, including Bahrain, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, attending the charter signing ceremony. A permanent seat on the council is priced at $1 billion.
The United Nations has stated that it continues to operate according to its established programs and statutes, expressing no concerns regarding the emergence of new organizations like the Peace Council.
The Belarusian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou, was unable to attend the U.S. Peace Council meeting due to visa delays. The situation raises questions about the commitment to peace initiatives when basic participation requirements are not met.