Belarus seeks EU talks to end isolation, sources say
Belarus has proposed talks with European Union countries to normalise relations, in a bid to end the political isolation it has faced since 2020, European diplomatic sources told Reuters.
The Belarusian embassy in Paris sent emails to several European diplomatic missions at the end of September, the sources said, requesting a meeting with the Belarusian Ambassador to the Vatican, Yury Ambrazevich, who the messages said unofficially coordinates Minsk's diplomatic contacts in western Europe.
Several European diplomats agreed to meet with the Belarusian representative. One diplomat said Ambrazevich had sought to convey that Minsk wanted to emerge from political isolation and could play a role in resolving the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and in future talks on European security.
The Belarusian embassy confirmed the letters had been sent, describing them as "standard diplomatic practice." One of the agency's interlocutors added that Minsk had spotted an opportunity created by US President Donald Trump for a possible lifting of sanctions and is trying to seize the moment. "They say they don't want the conflict to escalate, which is why they now want an open dialogue with other states and to emphasise their differences from Russia," another diplomatic source said.
However, a third diplomat, who received the meeting request, stated he views this move by Minsk with skepticism. In his opinion, Mr Lukashenko continues to support Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that after the recent release of some political prisoners, he has once again imprisoned several more opposition figures.
At the same time, US officials hope they will succeed, at least partially, in pulling Belarus out from under Moscow's influence, Reuters writes.
The US began rebuilding relations with Belarus after Donald Trump's return to the White House. In September, Washington lifted sanctions imposed on the airline "Belavia," a gesture that followed the release of 52 political prisoners. Against this backdrop, Mr Lukashenko proposed a "great deal" to Mr Trump.
"We can accept compromises, we can take the first steps, expecting the Americans to keep their promises," the Belarusian leader emphasised. According to Reuters, Mr Lukashenko’s main goal remains the lifting of sanctions on the country’s potash fertilizer exports and regaining access to Baltic ports for shipment.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
