The chargé d’affaires of the United Kingdom in Belarus, William Longhurst, who took up his post at the end of July, recorded a video message in which he thanked Belarusians for the warm welcome and for advice on what to see and try in the country. He also attempted to address his followers in Belarusian, noting that his vocabulary currently consists of just two words.
“I want to say a big thank you for the warm welcome. To be honest, I did not expect so many responses, and that says a lot about the hospitality of Belarusians. Thank you again for the kind wishes, invitations and advice on what to see and try in Belarus. It seems that I already have a whole program for three years here. I would also like to say something in Belarusian, but unfortunately, I currently know only two words — ‘pryvitannie’ and ‘dziakuj.’ So, dziakuj”, he said.
William Longhurst has more than 35 years of diplomatic service experience. He has worked at British embassies in Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Serbia and Switzerland, as well as at the United Kingdom’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
From 2019 to 2024, he served as deputy head of mission at the British Embassy in Switzerland and was also the United Kingdom’s consul general in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
The United Kingdom currently has no ambassador to Belarus. Before Longhurst, the position of chargé d’affaires was held by David Ward.
