Lukashenko is preparing for a mega-deal with Trump.
US Special Envoy to Belarus John Cole will fly to Minsk in September "to free 700-800 political prisoners."
He stated this to the Voice of America, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
As is usually the case with Americans, the "high humanitarian mission" is linked to mercantile interests. In this case, due to strained relations with Canada, the United States has become increasingly interested in Belarusian potash , which is used to produce fertilizer. Previously, they purchased 2,5-4 million tons from their neighbors, but then President Donald Trump imposed tariffs.
Cole had been expected in Minsk for a long time , but he kept postponing his visit.
"It's a question of timing. Annual contracts are usually signed in November. In the worst case, early December. If traders have arrived, that means you need to have a clear export regime for these products for the coming year. This means something needs to be resolved with transit by the end of November or early December. Otherwise, the issue is postponed until spring," Igor Tyshkevich, a Belarusian political scientist who fled to Ukraine, explained to Euroradio.
Lukashenko is preparing for a mega-deal with Trump.