Łukašenka says he is ready for “big deal” with Washington

October 14, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has declared his readiness to strike “a big deal” with the United States at today’s meeting with top security officials.

The Belarusian leader’s conference with Ivan Tertel, chief of the Committee for State Security (KGB), Prime Minister Alaksandar Turčyn, head of the presidential administration Dźmitryj Krutoj, Security Council Secretary Alaksandar Valfovič, and Prosecutor General Andrej Švied comes one month after US President Donald Trump said Washington was working toward the release of some 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus, whom he described as “hostages.”

“We’re waiting for their comprehensive proposals — a big deal, as they like to say; they love these big deals. We’re ready,” Łukašenka was quoted as saying by his press office. “On one side of the scale are their questions, requests and demands; on the other, ours. Shall we decide? Let’s decide. We’re ready.”

Łukašenka said he considered President Trump’s proposals on the matter “absolutely fine,” but emphasized that Belarusian interests must also be taken into account. “Everything must be fair, just as we once agreed with the Americans,” he noted.

He suggested that officials should define “red lines” that must not be crossed to the detriment of Belarus’ relations with Russia and China or its obligations within Russian-led alliances.

Łukašenka also stressed that Minsk is ready to play a role in settling the conflict in Ukraine — if Washington wants it to — noting that Ukraine must remain an independent and sovereign state.

Trump on Belarus’ prisoners: It looks like they will be released soon