U.S. presidential special envoy John Coale arrived at the Palace of Independence, where he is due to hold talks with Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
Lukashenka’s press service published a photograph of Coale on the palace steps. The photo shows Coale accompanied by KGB Chairman Ivan Tertel and Sarah Ryan, Strategic Communications Adviser at the Office of the Special Envoys for Belarus and Ukraine.
A short time later, the press service published a photograph from the delegation waiting room and noted that Prime Minister Aliaksandr Turchyn would also take part in the talks. Previously, Lukashenka’s meetings with Coale were attended only by the KGB chief, as well as Belarus’ Permanent Representative to the UN Valery Rybakou and an interpreter.
Lukashenka and Coale last held talks in March. At the time, it was announced that U.S. sanctions would be lifted on BKK, Belarusian Potash Company, Belaruskali, Belarusian Investment Company, Belarus Development Bank and the Ministry of Finance. In addition, 250 people were pardoned, 15 of whom were taken to Lithuania.
