Łukašenka says he is looking forward to meeting Coale, open to “small and grand bargains” (Updated)
September 11, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has said he is looking forward to meeting US Special Envoy John Coale in Minsk and is open to business deals with the United States, including shipments of Belarusian potash fertilizers.
“I have said already honestly that I am a Trumpist, I have supported [Donald] Trump. I see his mistakes. I tell this straight to my best friend, who is coming to us,” he told state media journalists at the Abuz-Liasnoŭski training ground near Baranavičy in the Brest region.
Sources reported that Coale was planning to visit Minsk on Monday, September 14, to secure the release of 200 to 300 political prisoners. Łukašenka said Coale is scheduled to visit on September 15.
Łukašenka said he was open to both “small and grand bargains” with the US president, indicating that he was ready to free more prisoners.
“So be it! Take them!” he said.
“We are open. They have lifted a number of sanctions from our enterprises and are ready to lift more. There are plenty of questions. The embassies. Let’s discuss how to resume [their operation]. Nuclear materials and other matters — there is a whole program in our country, please [let’s talk about it]. You want to buy potash fertilizers from us? If you want, please do.”
He made it clear that Belarus was already loading crop nutrients for shipment to the United States and added that he expected US-based Citibank to release some $43–44 million to a company that “cooperated with us,” apparently referring to funds frozen because of sanctions.
“Return the money. Then we will negotiate more serious things with you,” he said without elaborating.
During his previous visit to Minsk in March, Coale secured the release of 250 political prisoners. Fifteen were taken out of the country, while the rest were allowed to stay in Belarus. In return, Washington lifted some sanctions, including those on potash companies.
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