Belarus prepares 'big deal' with US but not at Russia's expense, Lukashenko says

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko speaks during a session of the World Atomic Week international forum, an event dedicated to the global nuclear industry and related sectors, in Moscow, Russia, September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Pool

Dec 18 (Reuters) - Belarus is nearing a major deal to restore relations with the United States but will not give up its close ties to Russia, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.

Speaking five days after freeing a large group of political prisoners in exchange for an easing of U.S. sanctions, the veteran authoritarian leader said he expected the thawing of ties to lead to a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.