American preacher Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, answered a question about US President Donald Trump’s opinion of Belarus and Aliaksandr Lukashenka. He spoke about this in an interview with the Belarusian state TV channel “First Information.”
According to Graham, Trump wants to build better relations with Belarus, as evidenced by the appointment of special envoy John Coale.
“President Trump truly cares about this and, I think, wants to move toward improving relations. But that requires work and time,” Graham said.
The preacher added that if Trump asks him, he will certainly share what he saw and learned in Belarus.
“And I hope that one day he will be able to come and meet your president here in Minsk, to see everything with his own eyes. I understand there is a golf course here. Maybe — I told President Lukashenka that perhaps he should invite President Trump to come and play golf,” Graham stated.
He also assessed the role of Belarus and Lukashenka in resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war.
“Belarus is a neighbor of Ukraine and Russia. I think your president can help resolve the disagreements. It will take time. It will not be easy, but I think President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that he is now ready to try to find a way to end this conflict. I know that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the same thing. Well then, someone is needed to take up the task and begin negotiations. And perhaps President Trump and President Lukashenka could help facilitate this,” the preacher said, adding that he is praying for peace as soon as possible.
It should be recalled that the “Festival of Hope,” involving Protestant churches, is taking place at Minsk’s Chizhovka Arena on May 16-17. On May 15, Franklin Graham met with Aliaksandr Lukashenka at the Palace of Independence, saying that he prays for peace as soon as possible.
