Łukašenka seeks US sanctions relief without reforms, Viačorka warns
John Coale meeting Alaksandar Łukašenka in September.
November 10, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka is trying to deceive the United States into lifting sanctions without changing his repressive policies, and it will be the task of the new US envoy to prevent that, leading Belarusian pro-democracy politician Franak Viačorka told Pozirk.
Viačorka said that John Coale, nominated by the US president for the role, is well suited to carry out this mission.
“He is a professional negotiator who has already helped secure the release of more than 100 political prisoners. We stay in regular contact with him,” said Viačorka, an aide to opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja.
“We must remain consistent and principled—our goals are the release of political prisoners and an end to repression,” he emphasized, noting that another group of detainees could be freed soon.
However, Viačorka described Łukašenka as a “tough negotiator” who seeks concessions without offering any in return.
“John Coale’s role is crucial. From our conversations, I understood that he is not naïve and knows exactly who Łukašenka is. That’s why the Americans must take a firm and consistent stance,” he said.
Viačorka also stressed that released prisoners must have the freedom to choose whether to stay in Belarus or go into exile.
Coale previously served as deputy to Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, and took part in negotiations with Łukašenka that led to the release of jailed Belarusian dissidents.
The most recent pardons, announced on September 11 following Coale’s meeting with the Belarusian ruler, included 52 people—among them prominent opposition figures and journalists. Coale is now involved in talks over the release of 50 more regime critics, whom Trump has described as hostages.
Łukašenka recently said he was open to a “grand bargain” with Washington, hinting that he had specific conditions in mind.
“I tell the Americans: you have to understand me. I said that Trump acts the same way,” Łukašenka said. “That’s the essence of this ‘grand bargain’: we do what they want, and they do what we want. We’re ready for that—but we have our own interests.”
According to Belarusian officials, Minsk has been in talks with Washington since mid-2024. Since then, Łukašenka has pardoned more than 300 imprisoned regime critics. But more than 1,200 are still held in prisons.
