Finance
Lukashenko Tells Trump Envoy That He Could Release Prisoners
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 11, 2025
2 min readLast updated: March 1, 2026
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Quick Summary
Belarus' Lukashenko is open to a prisoner release deal with Trump's envoy, John Coale, who delivered a letter from Trump. Belarus released 52 prisoners.
Lukashenko Offers to Negotiate Prisoner Releases with Trump Envoy
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told an envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday that he was ready to make a deal on releasing prisoners, the state-run Belta news agency reported.
Lukashenko greeted John Coale, a lawyer acting on behalf of Trump, in Minsk. Coale passed a letter from Trump in English to Lukashenko signed "Donald", Belta showed.
"If Donald insists that he is ready to take in all these released prisoners, God bless you, let's try to work out a global deal, as Mr. Trump likes to say, a big deal," said Lukashenko, who also praised the U.S. leader for seeking a peace deal in Ukraine.
Later on Thursday, a spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Vilnius, capital of neighbouring Lithuania, said Belarus had released 52 prisoners of various nationalities. He said they were now on their way to Lithuania with the U.S. delegation that negotiated their release.
Coale said the fact that Trump had signed the letter simply Donald was "a rare act of personal friendship".
Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has led Belarus through more than three decades of authoritarian rule.
(Reporting by Marina BobrovaWriting by Maxim RodionovEditing by by Guy Faulconbridge and Gareth Jones)
Key Takeaways
- •Lukashenko is open to negotiating prisoner releases with Trump's envoy.
- •John Coale delivered a letter from Trump to Lukashenko.
- •Belarus released 52 prisoners following the discussions.
- •Lukashenko praised Trump's peace efforts in Ukraine.
- •The meeting highlights ongoing US-Belarus diplomatic relations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lukashenko tells Trump envoy that he could release prisoners
1What did Lukashenko offer to the Trump envoy?
Lukashenko stated he was ready to negotiate a deal on releasing prisoners.
2Who met with Lukashenko in Minsk?
John Coale, a lawyer acting on behalf of Trump, met with Lukashenko.
3How many prisoners did Belarus release?
Belarus released 52 prisoners of various nationalities, according to a U.S. embassy spokesperson.
4What did Lukashenko say about Trump's willingness to take in prisoners?
Lukashenko mentioned that if Trump insists on taking in the released prisoners, they could work out a global deal.
5What is Lukashenko's political background?
Lukashenko has led Belarus through more than three decades of authoritarian rule and is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
