Donald Trump appointed John Coale as a special envoy to Minsk to negotiate the release of prisoners from Belarus.

On November 9, American President Donald Trump announced that John Coale will be his special envoy to Minsk, with the goal of securing the release of several prisoners from Belarus. Trump has intensified relations with the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko, sending delegations to Minsk and demanding the release of 1,400 detainees, whom he referred to as hostages.

In September, Belarus released 52 prisoners as a result of Trump's intervention, and Coale has already negotiated the release of 100 hostages, being prepared to secure the release of another 50. This move comes in the context of strained relations between the US and Belarus, after the United States closed its embassy in Minsk in February 2022. Additionally, the US has relaxed some sanctions imposed on Belarus, including those related to Lukashenko's aircraft.