Donald Trump’s envoy, John Coale, met with Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, raising the possibility of a visit by the Belarusian leader to the United States.
US Envoy Meets with Lukashenko
US President Donald Trump’s envoy, John Coale, who visited Minsk on Thursday, announced that during his conversation with Alexander Lukashenko, the possibility of a visit by the Belarusian leader to the United States was discussed – as reported by the state news agency BelTA.
“We will work to organize this (the US visit – PAP),” the American envoy told reporters after the meeting with Lukashenko.
Topics of Discussion: US-Belarus Relations and Iran
The talks covered US-Belarus relations and Lukashenko’s views on the war in Iran, as well as the potential development of the situation, Coale added. He emphasized that the American side considers Lukashenko’s opinion “very valuable.”
Invitation to the Council for Peace
Trump, through his envoy, invited Lukashenko to participate in further work within the Council for Peace. Despite the invitation, the Belarusian leader did not participate in the first meeting of this body. “President Lukashenko confirmed that he will participate in one of the next sessions of the Council for Peace,” Coale said, as quoted by BelTA.
Key Negotiation Points: Sanctions, Embassy, and Political Prisoners
Discussions also included issues related to sanctions, economic matters, and the resumption of normal operations at the US Embassy in Minsk, which suspended work in 2022 – according to AP. The release of further political prisoners by the Belarusian authorities was also reportedly discussed.
Envoy’s Previous Visit and Lithuanian Stop
Prior to Minsk, Trump’s envoy visited Vilnius, where he met with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė. Šimonytė stated after the meeting that “the authorities in Minsk should end repression and lead to the release of all political prisoners.”
Political Prisoners in Belarus: Current Situation
The visit by the US President’s envoy, John Coale, follows a previous visit to Minsk in December 2025. During that visit, 123 political prisoners were released, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, politician Viktor Babaryka (a 2020 presidential candidate against Lukashenko), and his campaign staff member Maria Kalesnikava.
According to estimates from the human rights center Viasna, there are still 1140 political prisoners in Belarusian prisons and penal colonies, including Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and activist of the Polish Association in Belarus, sentenced to eight years in a penal colony.
