U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko ahead of the U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska on Friday, he announced on social media.
“The purpose of the call was to thank him for the release of 16 prisoners,” Trump wrote. “We are also discussing the release of 1,300 additional prisoners. Our conversation was a very good one. We discussed many topics, including President Putin’s visit to Alaska.”
Trump did not specify what 16 prisoners he was referring to. In July, Lukashenko’s press service reported that he had pardoned 16 convicts who had “committed various crimes, including extremist-related offenses,” a category that could include political prisoners. The identities of those released and the charges against them were not disclosed.
Belarusian state media said the leaders “discussed issues on the bilateral agenda, regional matters, and situations in hotspots, including Ukraine.” Lukashenko reportedly also invited Trump to Minsk for a state visit.