Latest news with #Belta
Mint
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Trump Envoy's Belarus Visit Is Followed by Prisoner Release
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released 14 imprisoned opposition activists after meeting with a US presidential envoy in the highest-level contact between the two countries in years. President Donald Trump's envoy, General Keith Kellogg, visited Lukashenko — an ally of Russia's Vladimir Putin who's under a range of international sanctions, including by the US — in Minsk on Saturday just before the announcement. Lukashenko pardoned 14 prisoners at Trump's request, presidential spokeswoman Natalya Eismont said on the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel. Those freed include Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the spouse of top Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The former prisoners are in Lithuania and receiving care, according to the government in Vilnius. 'You've stirred up quite a lot of noise around the world with your visit,' Lukashenko said at the start of the meeting with Kellogg. 'But I'm surprised by that — can't we have a normal dialogue and talk about our affairs, about the relations between Belarus and the United States of America?' Kellogg is the highest-ranking US official to visit Belarus in years. When Secretary of State Michael Pompeo went to Minsk in 2020, it was the first visit by a top-ranked US diplomat since 1993. Releasing Tsikhanouski was based 'solely on humanitarian grounds, with the goal of reuniting his family,' Eismont said. She said those released also include citizens of Japan, Poland, Estonia, Sweden and the US. The White House didn't comment on Kellogg's meeting or the prisoner release. Tsikhanouskaya thanked Trump, Kellogg and the European Union after her husband was freed. European leaders, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and the foreign ministers of Germany and Poland, hailed the releases and urged action on those still held in Belarus. 'Yes, it's good that these people are released but it's only a handful,' Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told public broadcaster LRT. 'Pressure on the regime must continue. No weakening of sanctions.' The agenda included international issues, the global situation and US-Belarusian relations, the Belta news agency reported. Lukashenko and Kellogg met for more than six hours, Belta quoted Eismont as saying. Tsikhanouski, a popular video blogger, was arrested shortly after announcing a bid to challenge Lukashenko for the presidency in 2020. His wife ran in his place as Lukashenko's main opponent, triggering huge support and subsequent unprecedented protests against Lukashenko's claim of winning the vote. Others released on Saturday included political activists and a journalist. Estonia said one of its citizens, Allan Roio, was among those released. Roio, the founder of a nongovernmental organization, had been held since January 2024. Lukashenko, 70, has been under various sanctions for nearly a decade due to his role in undermining democracy in the former Soviet republic. He was redesignated by the US under expanded penalties in 2022 in response to Belarusian support for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Lukashenko has been in power for more than three decades and almost 1,200 people in Belarus are recognized as political prisoners, according to the Viasna Human Rights Center. With assistance from Milda Seputyte, Ott Tammik and Olesia Safronova. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Belarus' Lukashenko meets US envoy Kellogg in Minsk
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (second from right) meeting US envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg (second from left) in Minsk, on June 21. PHOTO: EPA-EFE MINSK - Mr Alexander Lukashenko met US special presidential envoy General Keith Kellogg in Minsk on June 21, according to a video published on the Belarusian president's website. 'You've stirred up quite a lot of noise around the world with your visit. But I'm surprised by that – can't we have a normal dialogue and talk about our affairs, about the relations between Belarus and the United States of America?' Mr Lukashenko said in opening remarks. General Kellogg is the highest-ranking US official to visit Belarus in several years. In February 2020, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo travelled to Belarus in what was the first visit by a top-ranked US diplomat since 1993. 'With all the gold here, it looks a lot like Mar-a-Lago,' Gen Kellogg said, comparing Mr Lukashenko's Independence Palace with US President Donald Trump's private club in Florida. The meeting agenda included international issues and the overall situation in the world, as well as Belarusian-American relations, the state-owned agency Belta reported. Mr Lukashenko, 70, has been under various sanctions for nearly a decade due to his role in undermining democratic processes in the former Soviet republic. He was re-designated by the US under expanded penalties in 2022, in response to Belarus' support for Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Lukashenko remains Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally. The Belarusian strongman has remained in power for more than three decades, with nearly 1,200 people in the country currently recognised as political prisoners, according to the exiled human rights centre Viasna. Gen Kellogg's visit raised expectations that Belarus may soon release a number of captives. The White House has not commented on the meeting. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Belarus' Lukashenko meets with US envoy Kellogg, Belta reports
MOSCOW: Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko met with U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported on Saturday. Lukashenko discussed with Kellogg the political situation in the world and the bilateral relations between Belarus and the United States, Belta reported. Earlier this week, sources in Washington told Reuters of Kellogg's plan to visit Belarus and meet Lukashenko. They said that while the exact agenda for the meeting was unclear, the envoy viewed it as a step that could help jump-start peace talks aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine. In a video of the meeting released by Belta, Lukashenko warmly embraces Kellogg. 'Who doesn't know him? He is the most media-savvy person around these days,' Lukashenko said. Kellogg is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the authoritarian state in years.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Lukashenko meets US envoy Kellogg in Minsk
MOSCOW: Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko met with U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported on Saturday. Lukashenko discussed with Kellogg the political situation in the world and the bilateral relations between Belarus and the United States, Belta reported. Earlier this week, sources in Washington told Reuters of Kellogg's plan to visit Belarus and meet Lukashenko. They said that while the exact agenda for the meeting was unclear, the envoy viewed it as a step that could help jump-start peace talks aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine. In a video of the meeting released by Belta, Lukashenko warmly embraces Kellogg. 'Who doesn't know him? He is the most media-savvy person around these days,' Lukashenko said. Kellogg is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the authoritarian state in years.
Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Belarus' Lukashenko meets with US envoy Kellogg, Belta reports
FILE PHOTO: Alexander Lukashenko takes the oath during an inauguration ceremony, as he is sworn in as Belarusian President for the seventh term, in Minsk, Belarus, March 25, 2025. Press Service of the President of the Republic of Belarus/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo MOSCOW - Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko met with U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported on Saturday. Lukashenko discussed with Kellogg the political situation in the world and the bilateral relations between Belarus and the United States, Belta reported. Earlier this week, sources in Washington told Reuters of Kellogg's plan to visit Belarus and meet Lukashenko. They said that while the exact agenda for the meeting was unclear, the envoy viewed it as a step that could help jump-start peace talks aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine. In a video of the meeting released by Belta, Lukashenko warmly embraces Kellogg. "Who doesn't know him? He is the most media-savvy person around these days," Lukashenko said. Kellogg is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the authoritarian state in years. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
