US envoy denies promise to limit Ukraine’s military actions

Special Representative of the US President, Keith Kellogg, has firmly denied assertions made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that he promised to "work on limiting Ukraine’s strikes on Russian territory."

The statement from Lukashenko was earlier circulated by state media in Belarus and Russia. During a recent meeting, Lukashenko claimed to have conveyed to Kellogg the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a possible ceasefire, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

According to Lukashenko, the Russian side is reportedly prepared to agree to a cessation of hostilities, provided that "American, British, and French missiles" cease targeting Russian territory.

The Belarusian leader said he requested the West to relay this condition to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that Kellogg allegedly responded: "We will work in this direction."

However, Kellogg categorically rejected these claims.

In a post on X, Kellogg stated that Lukashenko’s words were taken out of context. He emphasised that discussions focused solely on the prospect of a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Kellogg wrote:

"This quote is taken out of context. In my conversation with Lukashenko, we discussed a full and unconditional ceasefire. Any limitation on Kyiv's conduct was conditional on reciprocal action by Moscow. At no point did I make comments related to Ukraine's prosecution of the war outside of a total ceasefire."

Kellogg visited Minsk on June 21, where he held talks with Alexander Lukashenko.

By Aghakazim Guliyev