Political prisoners, money and relations with the US: what Lukashenko talked about with Trump’s envoy

Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with the US President’s special envoy for Belarus, John Cole, on September 15. The parties discussed relations between Minsk and Washington, political prisoners, and the return of frozen Belarusian funds.

This was reported by Lukashenko’s press service.

On the Belarusian side, Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchyn, KGB Chairman Ivan Tertel, and Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN Valentin Rybakov also participated in the negotiations.

Lukashenko said that Minsk is ready to discuss any issues with the United States, but called on both sides to adhere to the agreements already reached.

“We are open to discussing any issues. The only thing is that we strictly adhere to our agreements. On our part and on the part of the United States,” he said.

According to Lukashenko, the parties have already reached a number of agreements in the economic sphere.

He separately raised the issue of political prisoners. Lukashenko once again stated that there are supposedly no political prisoners in Belarus, since there is no corresponding article in the country’s legislation.

At the same time, it was expected that one of the main issues of Cole’s visit would be the further release of people whom human rights activists recognize as political prisoners.

Cole conveyed greetings from US President Donald Trump to Lukashenko and stated that the American leader maintains contacts between the parties.

During the negotiations, about $44 million in Belarusian funds were also discussed, which, according to Lukashenko, were blocked in the American Citibank.

Cole said that the American side has already asked the bank to unfreeze the funds.

“This money must be unfrozen and returned. We have asked the bank to unfreeze these funds. We are currently developing a mechanism for how to do this,” said Trump’s special envoy.

Recall that earlier the US considered the possibility of a meeting between Donald Trump and Alexander Lukashenko . John Cole stated that negotiations on this are ongoing, but there is no final decision.

Also, through US mediation, Belarus previously released a number of foreign prisoners , including Polish journalist Andrzej Pochobut.

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