US envoy meets with Łukašenka, promises to lift Biełavia sanctions

September 11, Pozirk. Washington is lifting sanctions on Belarus’ Biełavia airline, said John Coale, US deputy special envoy to Ukraine, after meeting with Alaksandar Łukašenka in Minsk on September 11.
Coale said the lifting of sanctions was just the beginning, noting that if he and Łukašenka reach a deal on prisoners at the meeting, the two countries can achieve a lot on the path to normalization.
Pul Pervogo, a Telegram channel run by the Belarusian ruler’s press office, has published footage from the meeting.
Łukašenka credited Donald Trump with ending “seven-six wars or conflicts—it doesn’t matter,” urging the US president not to give up on his peace efforts, “especially here in the region in the conflict of Russia and Ukraine.”
“Naturally, we have a great interest in your global country in terms of the economy,” the Belarusian strongman added.
Coale read out the US president’s and his wife Melania Trump’s birthday greetings to Łukašenka, noting that Donald Trump’s signature “Donald” is a special sign of friendship.
Also taking part in the meeting were Christopher Smith, deputy assistant secretary for Eastern Europe; Valancin Rybakoŭ, Belarus’ representative to the UN; and Committee for State Security (KGB) chief Ivan Tertel.
Earlier meetings between Łukašenka and US diplomats resulted in the release of several groups of political prisoners, including politician and influencer Siarhiej Cichanoŭski.
Trump expressed hope earlier this month that Belarus would free the 1,400–1,500 remaining “hostages.”
The Biełavia sanctions were imposed after Belarus’ secret services hijacked Ryanair Flight 4978. Agents cited a false bomb threat to divert the passenger aircraft to Minsk and arrest opposition journalist Raman Pratasievič.
The incident has not been properly investigated because Belarusian officials denied international experts access to key evidence and witnesses.
The International Civil Aviation Organization Council determined that the bomb threat against Ryanair Flight 4978 “was deliberately false and endangered its safety, and furthermore that the threat was communicated to the flight crew upon the instructions of senior government officials of Belarus.”
“As neither a bomb nor evidence of its existence was found during pre-departure screening in Athens, Greece, and after various searches of the aircraft in Belarus and Lithuania, it is considered that the bomb threat was deliberately false. Knowingly communicating false information which endangers the safety of an aircraft in flight is an offence under Article 1 (1) (e) of the Montréal Convention,” it said.
Trump on Belarus’ prisoners: It looks like they will be released soon
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja to address socialist congressThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPartyzanka: Poland pauses processing of international protection applicationsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security, SocietyInvestigation sheds light on military-patriotic clubs’ agendaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietySuspected contraband balloons disrupt Vilnius Airport, affecting 6,000 passengersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka, Rahmon discuss ties in birthday callThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsProtesters demand Germany punish former regime wardenThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInternational deals to be signed during sultan’s visit to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja’s France visit announcedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZelensky addresses Russian gas shortages, mentions BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityUkrainian justice ministry initiates sanctions against HomsielmašThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka: Kamvol is in debt and not operatingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja: Europe must be united to protect democracyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights defenders call for investigative group on Belarus crimesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyNumber of Belarusians allowed to reside in Lithuania continues to fallThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterior ministry brands 31 as extremistsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPoland deports fewer Belarusians this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsSociologist: independence remains key value for BelarusiansThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- SocietyPolish police arrest Belarusian, Pole suspected of kidnappingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyGraduates face criminal charges for evading mandatory job placementThe material is available only to POZIRK+