Lukashenko Signals Deal with Trump Over Release of Prisoners

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed readiness to negotiate a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the release of prisoners, according to Belarus state news agency Belta. The announcement came after Lukashenko met John Coale, a lawyer representing Trump, in Minsk. During the meeting, Coale handed over a personal letter from Trump, signed simply “Donald,” which he described as a rare act of personal friendship.

Lukashenko suggested working on what he called a “global deal,” echoing Trump’s well-known negotiating style. He also praised the U.S. president for efforts to secure peace in Ukraine. The Belarusian leader stated, “If Donald insists that he is ready to take in all these released prisoners, God bless you, let’s try to work out a big deal.”

Later in the day, a spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, confirmed that Belarus had freed 52 prisoners of multiple nationalities. The group was transported to Lithuania alongside the U.S. delegation that arranged their release.

The development marks a rare opening between Washington and Minsk, as Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron grip for more than three decades and remains a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His willingness to strike an agreement with Trump highlights an unusual diplomatic overture from one of Europe’s most isolated leaders.

This move could signal potential shifts in Belarus’s relations with the West, especially amid ongoing regional tensions. While details of the broader deal remain unclear, the release of prisoners is being viewed as a significant step in easing strained ties.

At a time of global focus on Ukraine and regional security, Lukashenko’s outreach to Trump underscores his strategic balancing act between Moscow and Washington.