For the first time in the last five years, diplomatic talks have taken place between high -ranking US representatives and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. US Secretary of State Secretary of State Christopher Smith, together with two diplomats, made an unspoken visit to Minsk, during which they considered the possibility of weakening political repression in Belarus and discussing a strategy for reducing Russia's influence on the Belarusian leadership. About it reports The New York Times.
This visit that took place a day after a telephone conversation between US Presidents Donald Trump and Russia Vladimir Putin is part of a change in Washington's foreign policy strategy. Instead of the policy of isolation of leaders in the disadvantage of the West through repression and participation in the war in Ukraine, the United States decided to start indirect negotiations with Lukashenko, which could lead to significant changes in relations between states. According to sources, this may be the first step to defrost the relations between the US and Belarus, in particular in the context of gradual weakening of repression and returning to dialogue.
One of the results of the negotiations was the release of the Belarusian prison of the American and two Belarusian political prisoners. This step was taken after the negotiations, and Smith personally took them in his car. Diplomats have reported that this is only the beginning of possible changes, and that further steps can lead to serious changes in the US attitude towards Belarusian political processes. According to reports, the next step in the negotiation may be the conclusion of a major agreement between the United States and Belarus, under which Lukashenko will undertake to release even more political prisoners. In exchange for this, the United States is ready to weaken sanctions, including Belarusian banks and potassium exports, which is an important economic factor for Belarus as it is the main producer of these fertilizers. The main purpose of the United States in these negotiations, according to representatives of the State Department, is to ensure freedom for political prisoners. In addition, Smith expressed his hope that this diplomatic initiative would allow Lukashenko to get more space for actions outside the influence of Russia, which is of strategic importance not only for Belarus but also for the region. This confirms the change in approaches to Belarus, which has long been under the sanctions of the West due to human rights violations and support of Russia in aggression against Ukraine. The US hopes that further negotiations will help to find a balance between providing Lukashenko with certain concessions and providing a better situation for citizens of Belarus.
Unslast negotiations between the US and Belarus open new horizons for diplomacy, trying to resolve difficult issues that relate to both human rights and strategic interests in the region. This can be an important step towards normalizing relations and possible change in the domestic policy of Belarus, which in turn will have an impact on international relations in Europe.
