Anchorage, Alaska — As global attention turns to the high-stakes Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he had a “wonderful talk” with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, thanking him for the release of 16 prisoners ahead of Belarus’ Independence Day.
Trump departed Andrews Air Force Base earlier today en route to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, where he is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at 11:30 a.m. local time (19:30 GMT) for discussions primarily focused on the Russia-Ukraine war and broader regional security.
🔓 Lukashenko Releases Prisoners, Eyes the West
The Belarusian leader—long criticized for his authoritarian rule and strong backing of Moscow’s war in Ukraine—recently pardoned 16 individuals, including those convicted of “extremism.” The group reportedly includes eight men and eight women, many of whom suffer from chronic illnesses, are disabled, or have underage children.
State media in Belarus claim the move is part of Lukashenko’s ongoing effort to rebuild ties with the West, amid crippling sanctions and growing international isolation. More than 300 prisoners have been released over the past year.
However, Franak Viacorka, senior adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said none of the most high-profile political detainees appear to be among the 16 freed.
🗣 Trump’s Remarks and Future Plans
In a social media post, Trump praised Lukashenko as “highly respected” and noted that the two also discussed Putin’s visit to Alaska, as well as a potential meeting between Trump and Lukashenko in the near future.
“We are also discussing the release of 1,300 additional prisoners. Our conversation was a very good one,” Trump stated.
🔍 What’s Next?
While the focus now shifts to the Trump-Putin dialogue—which could significantly influence the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine conflict—Trump’s outreach to Lukashenko has raised eyebrows. Analysts see it as part of a broader diplomatic chessboard, with Washington engaging key Kremlin allies in parallel to talks with Putin.
The summit’s outcome may shape not only the future of Eastern Europe, but also the U.S.’s positioning ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
