Secret Visit to Belarus: A Deal Between the US and Belarus is on the Horizon - NYT

A secret visit by an American diplomat to Belarus could mark the first step toward potential normalization of relations between Washington and Minsk. This is reported by The New York Times.

According to the speculation, last week, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Smith met with President Alexander Lukashenko, which was the first meeting of the Belarusian president with a State Department representative in five years. Smith arrived with two other American officials to negotiate the release of three individuals, including one American. Following this, the American delegation traveled to Lithuania, where Smith called the operation a "huge success."

The next day, in Vilnius, Smith informed Western diplomats about a potential "massive agreement," under which Lukashenko would release a significant number of political prisoners, including prominent opposition figures. In exchange, the US could ease sanctions against Belarusian banks and potash fertilizer exports, which are key outputs for the country’s economy. The publication claims that this move has become part of a new strategy by the Trump administration, stepping away from the long-standing policy of isolating Lukashenko's regime.