Finance
Lukashenko joins Trump's 'Board of Peace' as US eases his isolation
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 20, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
Belarusian President Lukashenko joins Trump's Board of Peace as US eases sanctions, marking a shift in international relations.
Lukashenko Joins Trump's Peace Initiative Amid U.S. Sanction Easing
Lukashenko's Inclusion in the Board of Peace
MOSCOW, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed an agreement on Tuesday to join U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, the latest step in a rapprochement with Washington after years of international isolation.
Background on Lukashenko's Leadership
A presidential Telegram channel published video of Lukashenko signing the document, and quoted him as saying he hoped to contribute towards peace in Ukraine.
Lukashenko, in power since 1994, was long shunned by the West because of his poor human rights record and backing for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the war in Ukraine.
But Trump last year began easing sanctions on Belarus in return for the release of political prisoners. He has called Lukashenko a "highly respected" leader - a description that jars with the exiled Belarus opposition, which sees him as a dictator.
Details of the Board of Peace
The invitation to join the Board of Peace marked a further stage in the U.S. rehabilitation of Lukashenko as it continues to negotiate with him on further prisoner releases and a normalisation of ties.
Trump originally proposed establishing the Board when he announced his plan last September to end the war in Gaza. But an invitation sent to world leaders last week outlines a broad role for the body in ending conflicts globally.
A draft charter sent to about 60 countries by the U.S. administration calls for members to contribute $1 billion in cash if they want their membership to last more than three years, according to the document seen by Reuters.
International Reactions and Implications
On Monday Trump said he had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to be a member of the Board.
On Tuesday, Armenia said it would also join. Trump has claimed credit for ending a long-running conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have fought two wars since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.
(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark TrevelyanEditing by Gareth Jones)
Key Takeaways
- •Lukashenko joins Trump's Board of Peace.
- •US eases sanctions on Belarus.
- •Lukashenko aims to contribute to peace in Ukraine.
- •Board of Peace seeks global conflict resolution.
- •Trump invites Putin and Armenia to join the board.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lukashenko joins Trump's 'Board of Peace' as US eases his isolation
1What is a presidential initiative?
A presidential initiative is a program or policy proposed by the president aimed at addressing specific issues or promoting certain goals, often involving collaboration with other nations or organizations.
2What is international rehabilitation?
International rehabilitation refers to efforts made by countries or organizations to restore relationships and improve conditions for nations that have faced sanctions or isolation.
3What is a board of peace?
A board of peace is a proposed body or organization aimed at fostering peace and resolving conflicts globally, often involving various international leaders and stakeholders.
