Belarusian officials reported on February 19 that they were unable to secure visas to attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in the United States, despite having received an official invitation. The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed frustration, stating that all required documents were submitted on time, but their delegation was still denied entry. This meeting was significant as it involves high-level diplomacy and discussions concerning peace initiatives, with Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov expected to represent Belarus.

The Board of Peace, established by U.S. President Donald Trump, was initially designed as a U.N.-endorsed framework to promote the peace plan for Gaza. However, its scope now appears broader, raising questions about its potential effectiveness and the geopolitical dynamics at play. Belarusian officials criticized the U.S. for failing to respect basic diplomatic norms, which complicates the narrative around the proposed peace efforts and reflects tensions in U.S.-Belarus relations.

The refusal of visas poses implications for international diplomacy and raises concerns about how participating nations respect formal protocols in high-stakes negotiations. As Trump prepares to lead this initiative, the absence of Belarus at such a crucial meeting highlights existing divides and may hinder the quest for collaboration on global peace efforts. The questioning of U.S. commitment to diplomatic processes may further strain relationships with Belarus and potentially other nations considering engagement with such peace initiatives.