Фото: "Пул Первого"
Alyaksandr Lukashenka and US President’s Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale have begun talks in Minsk.
The US delegation also includes Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Eastern Europe Chris Smith.
On the Belarusian side, in addition to Lukashenka, the talks are attended by Belarus’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Valiantsin Rybakou and KGB Chairman Ivan Tertel. The same composition of delegations took part in the previous round of talks in December 2025.
Yesterday, Coale met with Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė in Vilnius. The sides discussed the security situation in the region, including weather balloons, irregular migration, and the detention of Lithuanian trucks in Belarus, as well as the release of Belarusian political prisoners.
Lukashenka suggested that Coale fly directly to Belarus next time.
“As if you didn’t have a long journey. Everyone looks energetic. I am very glad that you are in a good mood and look vigorous. That’s because, John, you probably visited friends first instead of coming directly to Belarus. It’s time to fly directly to us,” Lukashenka said at the start of the meeting.
“Yes, that would be very good,” Coale replied.