Lukashenko Open to Trump Meeting if Deal Is Ready
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he would be ready to meet US President Donald Trump if a broader agreement between the two countries was prepared.
In an interview with Russia’s RT television, Lukashenko said talks should first take place at a lower level. Only then, he added, could the two leaders meet in person and sign an agreement reflecting the interests of both sides.
He said Belarus had adapted to Western sanctions and suggested any deal with Washington should go beyond easing restrictions to cover a wider range of issues.
Lukashenko, a long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although Belarus has not sent its own troops into the conflict.
The prospect of a visit to the US was also raised by Trump’s envoy in March, signalling a potential shift in relations as Lukashenko continues to face criticism over human rights abuses and his support for Russia.