Belarusian leader announces "big deal" with US: "How could I refuse?"

Self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has announced that preparations are underway for a "big deal" with the United States.

Source: Belarusian state-owned news outlet BelTA, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Lukashenko's remarks about the "big deal" came the day after he met with US Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale.

Quote: "On behalf of Trump, the Americans proposed concluding a big deal that will address a number of issues on the agenda of our talks.

How could I refuse? This is important for Belarus, and for me personally. So I said: 'I am fine with this – tell Donald that I agree to work on this big deal and prepare for it.'"

Details: Lukashenko said that the US may not be fully ready for this yet, but the process is ongoing.

"We are preparing to conclude this big deal with the Americans… We have defined our interests and sent the relevant proposals to the Americans. They informed me that these are currently being considered. The big deal is not just about political prisoners, as they say," he added.

The Belarusian leader said that items on the agenda for the talks with the US include embassy operations and also the issue of nuclear materials.

Background:

• After meeting with Lukashenko, Coale announced the lifting of sanctions on several Belarusian banks and potash fertiliser manufacturers.
• It emerged on the evening of 19 March that following Coale's meeting with Lukashenko, the Belarusian regime released a group of political prisoners.

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