Vodka and jokes helped the US find an approach to Lukashenko – NYT

US Special Representative for Belarus John Cole built personal relations with Alexander Lukashenko through informal communication, jokes, and shared drinking sessions. This unconventional approach, according to the NYT, helped secure the release of hundreds of Belarusian political prisoners. Critics fear Washington is granting the regime excessive legitimacy.

American diplomacy toward Minsk has taken an unexpected turn. US Special Representative for Belarus John Cole managed to build personal relations with dictator Alexander Lukashenko using informal communication, jokes, and shared drinking sessions. This is reported by The New York Times. According to the diplomat, this unconventional approach helped secure the release of hundreds of Belarusian political prisoners. Journalists note that this style is radically different from Washington's traditional tough approach to the authoritarian regime. The contact was built on discussing everyday topics like weight loss and drinking vodka. Critics warn that Washington is granting Lukashenko excessive international legitimacy in exchange for people imprisoned by the regime itself. Nevertheless, since contacts began, over 500 people have been freed. In March 2026, after negotiations with Cole, Belarusian authorities pardoned 250 citizens at once. In response, the United States partially eased sanctions. The diplomat hopes that by the end of the year all political prisoners will be released. Human rights organizations report that as of late August, at least 878 people remained behind bars. Cole also said that Russian Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov asked him for help with a civilian exchange between Russia and Ukraine. The rapprochement between Minsk and the US is causing concern among European politicians and the local opposition. Lukashenko remains a key ally of Vladimir Putin, having provided territory for the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.