{"id":211593,"date":"2026-11-12T18:22:13","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T15:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/211593\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T18:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T15:22:15","slug":"britain-ready-to-expand-military-dialogue-with-minsk-belarusian-defense-ministry-claims","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/211593\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain ready to expand military dialogue with Minsk, Belarusian defense ministry claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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November 12, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> The United Kingdom\u2019s Charg\u00e9 d\u2019Affaires William Longhurst said that his country is ready to gradually develop its military dialogue with Belarus, the Belarusian defense ministry reported following the diplomat\u2019s meeting with Valeryj Ravienka, chief of the defense ministry\u2019s International Cooperation Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UK Defense Attach\u00e9 Major William George also took part in the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ravienka informed Longhurst about Belarus\u2019 efforts to ease tensions in Europe and restore constructive contacts with the defense ministries of other countries, the ministry said, without providing any details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

William Longhurst presented his credentials to Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ry\u017eanko\u016d on July 31. On October 22, the diplomat met with Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Ihar Siakreta. The Belarusian ministry said, without elaborating, that they had discussed the current state and development prospects of bilateral cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

William George was accredited with Belarus\u2019 defense ministry in September 2025, almost five years after the expulsion of his predecessor, Timothy Wight-Boycott.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2020, the Belarusian foreign ministry also expelled the deputy head of the UK diplomatic mission, Lisa Thumwood, accusing both of \u201cdestructive activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with EU members, the United States and other allies, the United Kingdom refused to recognize Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka as the winner of the 2020 presidential election and a legitimate president and condemned Belarus\u2019 support for Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine. After the departure of Ambassador Jacqueline Perkins in August 2024, the United Kingdom downgraded its diplomatic presence in Belarus to charge d\u2019affaires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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