Julie Fischer Sworn In As U.S. Ambassador to Belarus

However, it is still not known when the diplomat may travel to Minsk.

On Wednesday, the State Department said that diplomat Julie Fisher had been sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Belarus, ТАСС reported.

On December 15, the Senate approved Fisher's nomination to the post of the head of diplomatic mission in Minsk. However, it is not clear when the diplomat is going to arrive in the Belarusian capital.

"Ambassador-designate Julie Fisher has been sworn in today as our chief diplomat in Belarus. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job. We are pleased that she will be representing vital American interests abroad," - State Department Deputy Chief of Staff Cale Brown wrote on Twitter.

In early November, George Kent, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told reporters that there's no final decision on sending an ambassador to Minsk; the issue will be considered after the Senate approves Fisher's nomination.

At the same time, in mid-September, Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun said that the U.S. had no plans to cancel sending its new ambassador to Belarus, despite the current harsh criticism of Washington with regard to Minsk and the requirement for new elections in the republic.