The US and Europe are diverging on how to deal with Belarus - and that could benefit Putin’s loyal ally
The US and Europe are adopting different diplomatic strategies toward Belarus, with the Trump administration balancing sanctions with targeted relief. This divergence may provide political leverage for Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Why it matters
The lack of a unified Western policy toward Belarus complicates efforts to influence the country's domestic political situation and its alignment with Russia.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the Victory Day military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2026. AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov The US and Europe are diverging on how to deal with Belarus — and that could benefit Putin’s loyal ally Published: June 4, 2026 8:26am EDT https://theconversation.com/the-us-and-europe-are-diverging-on-how-to-deal-with-belarus-and-that-could-benefit-putins-loyal-ally-284127 https://theconversation.com/the-us-and-europe-are-diverging-on-how-to-deal-with-belarus-and-that-could-benefit-putins-loyal-ally-284127 Link copied Share article Share article
The article analyzes geopolitical strategy from a neutral, observational perspective without taking a partisan stance.
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