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
- Politics, SocietyNo plans to punish all those linked to EHU, prosecutor general saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsOpposition group welcomes PACE resolution against transnational repressionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityLithuania reports spike in attempted irregular crossings via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarus confirms Russia’s announcement that Minsk has requested UN Security Council meeting over drone attackThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNo statements expected after meeting between Putin and Łukašenka, Peskov saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SecurityInvestigative group reports surge in Belarusian fuel exports to Russian-held areas of UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry labels 17 people as “extremists”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyJournalist Paźniak, his daughter sentenced to prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkraine, Russia swap prisoners in Belarus in eighth exchange this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Economy
- Security, SocietyDefense minister accuses Europeans of having “Nazi mentality”The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, Security, SocietyDrone sighting, explosion reported over HomielThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityŁatuška points to lack of coordination among Belarusian officials on UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsViasna: at least 27 soldiers held behind bars on political groundsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsPACE explores ID solutions for Belarusian victims of transnational repressionThe material is available only to POZIRK+



