The US is offering Belarus a new deal, The New York Times reports, citing its sources, as part of the Donald Trump administration's efforts to rethink its approach to the country, News.bg reports.
According to the publication, the White House is discussing an agreement with Minsk under which Belarus would release "multiple" political prisoners in exchange for easing sanctions imposed on Belarusian banks and potassium exports.
The information comes after three political prisoners were released on February 12. During the meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the country's chief of staff, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Smith and two other US officials discussed the terms of a future deal.
It was the first meeting between Lukashenko and senior US State Department officials in five years and could have serious implications for the restoration of relations between Washington and Minsk.
Smith described the meeting as a successful operation that resulted in important progress within the framework of President Trump's program for “peace through strength”. He announced to Western diplomats in Vilnius that the next step would include the release of more political prisoners, including more prominent figures.
According to Smith, this step could give Lukashenko a chance to distance himself from Russia's influence, the NYT writes.
The publication also suggests that Smith was not the leader of the American delegation, but a higher-ranking official sent directly from the White House.
The sanctions imposed on the export of potash, a key ingredient in the production of fertilizers and an important export product for Belarus, had a serious impact on the country. Unlike Russia, which began to benefit from rising prices on world markets, Belarus was unable to compensate for its losses.
Ukraine is also an important producer of fertilizers, but many of its plants were destroyed or damaged by the war. Belarus sells some of its potash to world markets via Russia, but deliveries have been significantly delayed after the closure of the route through Lithuania.