The unexpected diplomatic rapprochement between Donald Trump’s administration and Alexander Lukashenko has caused a sensation in international politics. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s special envoy John Cole has established personal friendly relations with the Belarusian leader, leading to significant political outcomes.
John Cole: The Lawyer Who Managed to Reach an Understanding with the "Dictator"
John Cole, an old ally of Trump and a lawyer who stood by him during his legal battles with Facebook, was tasked at the beginning of 2025 with restoring ties with Belarus.
- The "Table of Misfits": Cole reportedly explained Lukashenko’s position in global politics by comparing it to a school cafeteria. He offered Belarus an opportunity to move from the ranks of "misfits" like Iran and North Korea to the "table of influential nations" with U.S. support.
- Personal Relations: Negotiations included not only official meetings but also social events and even discussions on health matters. Cole reportedly recommended the modern "Zepbound" medication to Lukashenko for weight loss.
Release of Prisoners — A Step Toward Sanctions Relief
This "Trump-style" diplomacy bore fruit: Belarus released more than 250 prisoners, including opposition leaders Sergei Tikhanovsky and Ales Bialiatski. In return, the White House took the following steps:
- Aviation: Boeing was granted permission to supply spare parts for Belarusian aircraft, including Lukashenko’s personal jet.
- Economy: Sanctions against "Belaruskali," the country’s primary foreign currency source, were lifted.
An Example for Putin and Mediation in the War
The Trump administration aims to achieve two key objectives through the agreement with Lukashenko:
- Setting an Example: Demonstrate to Putin that cooperating with the U.S. could bring significant benefits.
- Mediation: Lukashenko may now serve as a bridge between Trump and Putin in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
Concerns
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya expressed joy over the release of prisoners but voiced concerns about Lukashenko turning this into a "trade." She believes the dictator could continue arresting individuals to "sell" their release for future concessions.
Nevertheless, Trump’s principle of "Who you talk to doesn’t matter – what matters is the result" seems to be yielding results in Belarus.
Do you think Lukashenko’s rapprochement with the West could help expedite the end of the Russia-Ukraine war?
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