Lukashenko announced that Belarus is conducting negotiations on prisoners only with the United States

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that negotiations on the possible release of a number of prisoners are conducted exclusively with the United States, and not with fugitive oppositionists. This was reported by the BelTA news agency on August 22.

"I warned the Americans right away: As soon as we find out that you are starting to play along with them, our fugitives, and start playing some kind of game together, we will immediately stop all negotiations with you," Lukashenko said.

He stressed that the fugitive oppositionists are not involved in negotiations on the release of prisoners, but rather are concerned that the President of Belarus has reached an agreement with the Americans.

"Our fugitives have nothing to do with this. On the contrary, they talk about it so that there are these "political prisoners," Lukashenko explained.

The Belarusian leader also noted that opposition representatives were handing over lists of prisoners to the United States and demanding pressure on Belarus.

"They are not happy that we are agreeing, and they are discussing at home: "How about without us, but where are we, we are not visible?! Let's get involved in this somehow," added Lukashenko.

On August 15, the Telegram channel Pool One reported that Lukashenko and American leader Donald Trump had a telephone conversation. The American leader called the negotiations very good. He also shared that he had discussed with his Belarusian counterpart the release of 1.3 thousand prisoners.

Prior to that, on June 21, Trump's lawyer and deputy US special envoy Keith Kellogg, John Cole, announced the release of 14 prisoners by Belarus after his meeting with Lukashenko. He also thanked the Lithuanian Government for its cooperation and assistance in this matter.

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