John Cole, the US Special Representative, has expressed a desire for enhanced relations between Belarus and Lithuania following discussions held in Minsk. His comments came after a meeting with Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, where the focus was on the issue of weather balloons originating from Belarus.
During a press briefing, Cole addressed concerns raised by Lithuania regarding these weather balloons, which the Lithuanian government has described as a hybrid threat to national security. He acknowledged the apprehensions voiced by Lithuanian officials and other leaders in the region but emphasized that the US aims to pursue a humanitarian mission in this context.
“Working with representatives from Lithuania, we see our goal. We are undertaking a humanitarian mission. We want to see improvements in relations between Belarus and Lithuania,” Cole stated.
In related developments, on March 19, following a meeting between Cole and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian government released a group of political prisoners. Additionally, Cole announced during his visit that the US would lift sanctions on several Belarusian banks and companies involved in the production of potassium fertilizers.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda advised Cole to exercise caution in his communications with Lukashenko, reflecting the complex dynamics at play between the two nations.
US Special Representative John Cole has called for improved relations between Belarus and Lithuania after recent talks in Minsk. His remarks follow significant diplomatic gestures, including the release of political prisoners in Belarus and the lifting of some US sanctions.
Source: Європейська правда