Trump thanks Lukashenko after release of foreign political prisoners
Donald Trump (Photo: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
Donald Trump said five foreign political prisoners had been released from prisons in Belarus and Russia, thanking Alexander Lukashenko for what he called “cooperation and friendship” in a post on Truth Social on May 11.
According to the U.S. president, two Moldovan citizens and three Poles, including Andrzej Poczobut, were released. In September 2025, Polish President Karol Nawrocki asked Trump to help secure Poczobut’s release from a Belarusian prison, the U.S. leader said.
“We worked very hard to make this release happen … Today Poczobut is free thanks to our efforts. The United States helps its allies and friends. Thank you to President Alexander Lukashenko for the cooperation and friendship. So nice!” Trump wrote.
He added that the release was made possible through the efforts of U.S. special envoy to Belarus John Cole.
On March 19, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held talks in Minsk with a delegation led by U.S. special envoy John Cole. After the meeting, Lukashenko said the United States had proposed a deal to him “on various issues.” It later emerged that Belarus had released 250 political prisoners.
Trump later thanked Lukashenko for releasing more than 500 political prisoners and said he was “looking forward” to meeting him at the Peace Council.
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