U.S. presidential envoy for Belarus John Coale told Reuters that he is discussing a possible visit by Aliaksandr Lukashenka to the United States and the opening of a U.S. embassy in Minsk.
“We are talking about it. I think it would be a good step,” Coale said about a possible visit by Lukashenka to the United States. “I have also mentioned opening a U.S. embassy in Minsk. All these issues are on the table. And I am optimistic that it will happen.”
According to Coale, Lukashenka wants Belarus to be “a member of the family of European nations.” The release of political prisoners could help Minsk move in this direction, he said.
The U.S. envoy also said that he plans to travel to Belarus in two to three weeks and expects to secure the release of some political prisoners within a month.
As a reminder, during the last meeting between Coale and Lukashenka, the latter said that Donald Trump had invited him to his residence in Florida to discuss a “major deal.”
