Lukashenko is preparing a “big deal” with the US and expects a meeting with Trump. What he said about relations between Belarus and Russia
Aleksandr Lukasenko, Photo: Sergei GAPON / AFP / Profimedia
Belarus is nearing a major deal to restore relations with the US but will not give up its close ties with Russia, President Aleksandr Lukashenko said on Thursday, according to Reuters.
Speaking five days after the release of a large group of political prisoners in exchange for an easing of US sanctions, Lukashenko said he expected thawing relations to lead to a summit with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
“Everything is moving, as they say, to a big deal … Everything is moving to the fact that Trump and I have to meet and come to an agreement,” said Lukashenko, who had been isolated from the West before Trump's return to the White House because of his record on human rights and his support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
The US hopes to distance him from Putin
The US side, which is seeking progress in resolving the war in Ukraine, claims that Lukashenko offered good advice. US officials told Reuters that Washington also hopes that by interacting with him, it will distance him to some extent from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Belarusian opposition in exile argues that any such attempt is futile, as Lukashenko is heavily dependent on Putin's political and economic support.
Lukashenko says the sides are discussing the reopening of the US embassy in Minsk, which was closed immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the necessary security measures.
Belarus “will not deviate” from its close relations with Russia
The Belarusian leader said rapprochement with the United States would not come at the expense of any other country and that he and Putin had a “complete understanding” of what was happening.
Belarus has maintained close ties with Russia since Lukashenko took power in 1994. “As long as I am president, we will not deviate from this policy,” he said.
On Thursday, at his annual press conference in Minsk, Lukashenko announced that Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile was also being deployed in Belarus starting Wednesday.
