John Coale. Stock photo: Anadolu via Getty Images
US Special Envoy to Belarus John Coale has said that during his talks with Belarus’s self-proclaimed president Alexander Lukashenko they have discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine, and that Lukashenko’s advice and close contacts with the Russian leader could prove useful.
Source: BelTA, a Belarusian state-owned news outlet, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Coale said that he discussed various issues with Lukashenko and that Lukashenko, among other things, “advises us on what to do about the war between Russia and Ukraine”.
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He said that Lukashenko knows the Russian leader very well, so his advice could be useful, as could Lukashenko’s own influence on Putin.
Quote: “Your president has a long history of relations with President Putin, he has the opportunity to give him advice. This is very useful in this situation. They are long-time friends and have a sufficient level of relations to discuss such issues. Of course, President Putin may accept some advice and not accept other advice. But this is a way to help the process.” [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president – ed.]
Background: On 4 November, the US Treasury Department eased certain sanctions on Belarus, lifting restrictions on the national airline and permitting operations connected to Lukashenko’s aircraft.
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