Venediktov: In one of the exchanges, which was not widely publicized, Ukraine released several dozen Belarusian mercenaries

"Lukashenka is a connecting link in negotiations with the Americans. He is, of course, cunning; he tries to squeeze some advantages out of his position between Russia and Europe. Just as Alexander Grigoryevich maneuvered before, he will continue to maneuver," believes Alexey Venediktov.

Ilya Varlamov noted that, according to some observers, Putin has long been pressuring Lukashenka, trying to get him to open a second front against Ukraine.

"So what? Listen, they put pressure on everyone," Venediktov remarked.

To the direct question of whether Lukashenka can refuse Putin today, the former editor-in-chief of "Echo of Moscow" answered:

"On some issues, of course, [he can]."

According to the journalist, it's not just about how much Putin pressures Lukashenka and whether the latter can resist. The Russian leader also understands that Lukashenka can be useful to him in various political combinations. If he cannot be used in one, he might be needed in another.

Павялічыць

"If their president asks, let them be political prisoners"

From relations with Putin, the conversation turned to Lukashenka's contacts with Donald Trump's administration. Varlamov called what has been happening for the last year and a half a peculiar trade, in which the Belarusian side "sells hostages in bulk" in exchange for concessions from the American side.

Павялічыць

According to Venediktov, such a description is too simplistic. He recalled a story about one of Lukashenka's first meetings with the US President's special envoy, John Cole.

"They sat down there to talk, five on five, Lukashenka's chief of staff, the head of the KGB, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Defense. And Cole says: 'Mr. President, my president Donald Trump wants to ask you to release these 25 political prisoners.'"

Lukashenka answers him like normal Lukashenka: "We have no political prisoners, these are all bandits, terrorists, fraudsters, hooligans, Trump's arsonists, and so on." Cole tells him: "Alexander Grigoryevich, you misunderstood me. My president Donald Trump asks you to release" — and pulls a piece of paper from his jacket — "these 25 political prisoners."

Lukashenka turns to his head of the KGB, I don't remember his name, says: "Listen, he says, well, if their president asks, what difference does it make to us what to call them? Well, let them be political prisoners, give them these bandits."

In addition, according to Venediktov, "in one of the exchanges, which was not widely publicized," Ukraine released several dozen Belarusian citizens who fought as part of the Russian troops.

"It was an exchange of people for people, and not for sanctions, not only for sanctions. Therefore, again, it's all much more nuanced. There's no need to wave slogans like 'Peace. Work. May Day' here," argues the former editor-in-chief of "Echo of Moscow."

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