March 18, Pozirk. US special envoy John Coale has arrived in Lithuania and met with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė before traveling to Belarus to negotiate possible releases of political prisoners in exchange for the easing of sanctions and other concessions.
Ruginienė described Belarus’ regime as a major threat to security in the region on the Lithuanian government’s website, citing hybrid attacks on Lithuania, such as cigarette-smuggling balloons, irregular migration, the seizure of Lithuanian trucks and support for the Russian war against Ukraine.
Washington has not reported on the meeting.
Last year, US engagement helped secure the released more than 300 political prisoners. Most of them were forced into exile.
