Reports indicate that John Cole, a former Trump attorney, is under consideration by the Trump administration for the role of U.S. hostage negotiator. His involvement includes discussions with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko concerning the release of political prisoners in exchange for an easing of U.S. sanctions.
This development follows a proposal made by Cole to Trump a few months ago, aimed at breaking the deadlock in U.S.-Russia relations by leveraging the release of prisoners in exchange for sanctions relief, a strategy reminiscent of past negotiations during the Reagan-Gorbachev era.
Background on John Cole
Cole has reportedly met with Lukashenko over ten times since early last year, engaging in dialogues aimed at securing the freedom of Belarusian political prisoners, including Sergei Tikhanovsky, a former presidential candidate whose wife, Sviatlana, is a prominent opposition leader.
In a June 2025 incident, Cole recounted sharing vodka with Lukashenko, who raised a toast to Trump. Cole reciprocated, leading to a light-hearted atmosphere, although he noted that it resulted in some discomfort after consuming just two shots of vodka. During these interactions, their conversations were minimal regarding politics, but the relationships reportedly grew more familiar.
Following Cole’s appointment as a special representative, sanctions on Belarusian potash were lifted temporarily, with further easing tied again to the release of political prisoners.
Media sources also suggest that Cole adopted a casual demeanor during his interactions with Lukashenko, even advising him on weight-loss medications.
