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POZIRK+Belarus’ employment rate declines 1.3 percent in Q1
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Łukašenka reiterates readiness to host peace talks at meeting with Putin
November 26, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has reiterated his readiness to host Ukraine peace talks in Minsk during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bishkek, according to the Belarusian ruler’s press office.
The Belarusian strongman has long sought a role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Over the past six months, he has held several meetings with US diplomats, during which he reportedly offered his services — including to Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine; US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Smith; and John Coale, the recently appointed envoy for Belarus.
Notably, Putin recalled that Russian officials had held several meetings in Belarus with what he called “the Kyiv regime” after Russian forces invaded Ukraine — in particular, in Homiel on February 28 and in Brest on March 3 and 7, 2022.
Meanwhile, at the meeting with Putin, Łukašenka said that his support for Russia’s war against Ukraine was legally justified — “we are allies after all,” he said.
Łukašenka also noted he was encouraged by recent US efforts to secure a peace deal. “I hope it will be OK in the end, based on recent developments. If the Americans proceed with caution — I say publicly what I said to them — understanding that this is a complicated matter that requires complicated solutions,” he said.
Talks between US and Ukrainian officials this week in Geneva and then in Abu Dhabi have resulted in Ukraine agreeing to the “essence” of a peace deal, after changes were made to an initial 28-point plan widely criticized as heavily slanted toward Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the new draft represented “the right approach” — though serious points of contention with Russia remain. The draft and Kyiv’s proposals have been submitted to the Kremlin for consideration.
Trump administration seeks release of at least 100 Belarus prisoners – Reuters
November 26, Pozirk. The Trump administration and Belarus are discussing the possible release of at least 100 political prisoners by Minsk soon, Reuters reported citing three sources familiar with the matter. While Minsk has freed dozens of detainees in several waves since …
