Cole did not raise the issue of democratization with Lukashenka. "Maybe someday I will"
During an interview with the Russian TV channel "Dozhd", Special Representative of US President Donald Trump for Belarus, John Cole, was asked whether he had raised the question with Lukashenka, during their numerous meetings, that he should change his internal policy and make it softer.
John Cole and Alexander Lukashenka on March 19, 2026. Photo: Belarusian Presidential Press Service via AP
During the interview, Dozhd anchor Kateryna Katrikadze asked John Cole whether democratization of the country is discussed at all during meetings with Lukashenka. She implied that Cole talks about his good relations with the Belarusian dictator, but can he ask him questions regarding a change in internal policy?
Cole replied:
"Not at this moment. So far, I haven't raised such a question with him. Perhaps I will someday in the future. For now, no, I haven't touched on that topic. I talked about political prisoners, about normalizing relations between our countries. As for what you just mentioned, questions of internal policy — no, I haven't raised anything like that with him yet."