More information about Belarus is available on the Belarus Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-BELARUS RELATIONS
Since Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka came to power in 1994, he has consolidated power through widespread repression. In 1996, Lukashenka reacted to Western criticism of a referendum that dissolved Parliament and expanded the authority of the presidency by temporarily expelling the U.S. and EU Ambassadors. After a presidential election in 2006 that violated international norms and was neither free nor fair, the United States implemented travel restrictions and targeted financial sanctions on nine state-owned entities and 16 individuals (including Lukashenka). In 2008, after the United States tightened sanctions due to worsening human rights abuses, Belarus expelled the U.S. ambassador and 30 out of 35 U.S. diplomats. In August 2015, Lukashenka released all six of Belarus’ political prisoners. In response, the United States provided limited sanctions relief, suspending sanctions on state-owned entities. Since then, Belarus has taken some steps to improve democracy and human rights. In 2019, the United States and Belarus announced they would exchange ambassadors as the next step in normalizing bilateral relations. Increased engagement depends on Belarus making additional progress on human rights and democracy issues.
U.S. Assistance to Belarus
U.S. assistance to Belarus focuses on expanding democratic rights and fundamental freedoms and promoting a market economy by strengthening the private sector and stimulating entrepreneurship.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Belarusian authorities are reluctant to undertake systemic economic reforms necessary to create a market-based economy, with seventy percent of the economy still under government control. Belarus’ opaque legal and regulatory systems and rule of law deficiencies create a challenging business environment.
Belarus’s Membership in International Organizations
Belarus is a member of international organizations, including the United Nations, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Eurasian Economic Union, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. Belarus also is an observer to the World Trade Organization.
Bilateral Representation
Principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Belarus maintains an embassy in the United States at 1619 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-986-1604).
More information about Belarus is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
CIA World Factbook Belarus Page
U.S. Embassy
USAID Belarus Page
History of U.S. Relations With Belarus
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Office of Foreign Assets Control Sanctions Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information