Trump dubs Łukašenka “powerful leader”

August 17, Pozirk. US President Donald Trump has praised Alaksandar Łukašenka for the second time in three days in a post on his social network Truth Social.
“Thank you to Belarus and its powerful leader,” he wrote, referring to the recent liberation of several jailed regime critics. “I hope the 1,300 [imprisoned dissidents] will soon be released, also!”
Two days ago, Trump described the Belarusian ruler as a “highly respected president” after a phone call ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
According to Trump, the purpose of the call was to thank Łukašenka for freeing 16 prisoners recently. “We are also discussing the release of 1,300 additional prisoners. Our conversation was a very good one,” the US president said.
Experts noted that previous Washington’s contacts with Minsk have always resulted in the release of regime critics.
Belarusian officials have indicated that Minsk has engaged with Washington since mid-2024. Since then, the Belarusian ruler has pardoned more than 300 imprisoned regime critics.
Opposition politician: Trump could claim major win by securing release of 1,300 dissidents
- PoliticsKGB adds seven to list of terroristsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyGovernment renews wood import licensing for six monthsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja: talks on releasing dissidents continueThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SecurityLithuania seizes counterfeit Belarusian cigarettes worth €2.1 millionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SocietyDriver in deadly Georgia bus crash guarded in hospitalThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyRussia returns remains of 261 Ukrainian soldiers via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyForeign ministry urges Belarusians to plan trips carefully after another deadly minibus crash in GeorgiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Security, SocietyEU countries report 77 attempts at irregular entry from Belarus on August 12The material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsImprisoned trade unionist Areška almost blind, Viasna saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Security, SocietyBorder guards seize two drones, seven model aircraft from individuals since year's startThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyVacancies for foreigners more than triple in 13 days in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyForeign investment reported up 19 percent in H1The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus' western neighbors post 20-day high in irregular crossings via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityCichanoŭskaja to Belarusians: joining Russia’s war in Ukraine is “one-way ticket”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus customs denies reports of Russian trucks being held in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyDemoted colonel appointed head of Homiel penal colony for womenThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus ranked second-lowest in EAEU for motor fuel prices in JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+

