Belarus is taking a public step toward dialogue with Ukraine, trying to ease sanctions pressure and return to talks with the West. KGB chief Ivan Tertel has said he is ready to "find a consensus" on ending the war, while official Kyiv has yet to comment on the statement.
Ivan Tertel stated that his department is ready to negotiate with the Ukrainian side in order to reach a compromise “through quiet and peaceful agreements.” According to him, “the president is working to stabilize the situation in the region,” and Minsk “managed to balance the interests of the parties” in difficult conditions of escalation. At the same time, he emphasized that “much depends on the Ukrainian side.”
The statements come as Minsk struggles to emerge from the political and economic isolation imposed after the 2020 elections and its involvement in supporting the Russian invasion. In recent weeks, Belarusian rhetoric has softened, with the government demonstrating a willingness to engage in peace initiatives while also promoting contacts with European capitals and Washington.
According to available information, Belarusian diplomats held a number of meetings with EU representatives, discussing Minsk's role in security discussions. In September, there was a partial resumption of dialogue with the United States: Washington facilitated agreements on the release of some political prisoners, in return for which it agreed to ease restrictions against Belavia. US administration representative Keith Kellogg explained that maintaining channels of communication with Minsk is seen as part of broader efforts to end the war.
Despite such signals, Belarus is not breaking off its military-political ties with Moscow. Last month, Minsk and the Kremlin held large-scale exercises "West 2025", which became a show of force on NATO's eastern flank and a sign that the strategic alliance is preserved. In early October, Alexander Lukashenko also accused Kyiv of unwillingness to negotiate, warning that without negotiations, Ukraine "may cease to exist as a state."
