Khaberni - President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he has chosen John Cole, who contributed to negotiating the release of prisoners from Belarus, to take up the position of special envoy to Minsk, stating that he will push for the release of more detainees.
Trump has increased the United States' dealings with Belarus, sending several delegations to Minsk this year.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Belarus released 52 prisoners in September following an appeal from Trump.
Earlier, Trump urged Lukashenko, who has been in power for over 30 years, to release 1400 detainees he described as hostages.
Trump wrote on his platform (Truth Social), "Cole has already succeeded in negotiating the release of 100 hostages, and is in the process of negotiating the release of another 50."
He added, "I would like to thank the very respected President of Belarus in advance for his attention to releasing these individuals."
The United States closed its embassy in Minsk in February 2022 after Putin used Belarus as a launching pad to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine.
