U.S. Backs Belarus Democracy

Since the fraudulent Belarusian presidential elections in August 2020 and the Lukashenka regime's subsequent mass crackdown on civil society, the United States has supported the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people, civil society, and independent media, both in exile and within Belarus, through our continued engagement with the Belarusian democratic movement.

In support of the Belarusian people and civil society, since August 2020 the United States has:

• Initiated in 2023 the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and the Belarusian democratic movement. The Strategic Dialogue advanced our coordination in support of a key shared priority: increase the ability of Belarusian civil society - in Belarus and in exile - to effectively advocate for citizens' rights and participate meaningfully in political processes.
• Provided more than $140 million in total U.S. assistance. The United States also provided $1.5 million to support investigations and case building in a survivor-centered approach according to international best practice, and over $1.1 million in public diplomacy grants to support initiatives ranging from preservation of Belarusian culture and identity, teaching English to medical professionals, and helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
• Welcomed 118 Belarusians to the United States on educational and professional exchange programs. These programs are opportunities for businesspeople, scholars, civil society activists, educators, and democratic actors to learn in the United States and build their capacity to usher in a more democratic and prosperous future for Belarus.
• Opened in 2024 a dedicated office of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Vilnius, Lithuania to advance its Belarus program. USAID has partnered with the Belarusian people for 20 years and the new presence is a testament to our partnership, which will continue as Belarusians strive for a sovereign, democratic, and prosperous country.
• Implemented hundreds of sanctions against Belarusian individuals and entities as part of our broad efforts to call out and promote accountability for the Lukashenka regime's abuses in Belarus and abroad. In addition to targeting sanctions on those directly involved in the Lukashenka-led repression of the Belarusian people, our targeted sanctions have disrupted the regime's revenue generators, including potash and the defense sector, and the personal finances of Lukashenka and his inner circle, putting additional pressure on the regime to change its abhorrent behavior.

• Announced sanctions on dozens of Belarusian entities and persons providing direct support to Russia's war against Ukraine. Belarus's defense sector has supplied military components, repair and overhaul services for Russian equipment, and provided other forms of support to Russia's war effort.

• Pursued visa restrictions for regime officials and affiliates for their roles in undermining democracy in Belarus, including those involved in reported torture and abuses of political prisoners, prosecutors and judges responsible for politically motivated criminal proceedings, and municipal department of internal affairs leadership for ordering violent crackdowns against peaceful protesters.
• Implemented an additional visa screening mechanism to stop regime-affiliated officials and individuals subject to sanctions from entering the United States.