Lukashenko Angling for Zepbound and Other Interesing Moments from U.S./Belarusian Negotiations

Apparently, Belarusian President Lukashenko is concerned enough about his girth that he's discussed weight-loss drug Zepbound with U.S. envoy to Belarus, John P. Coale. A fascinating WSJ article details some of the behind-the-scenes moments from meetings between the two. The U.S. offered sanctions relief and Belarus offered political prisoner release. And the negotiation were successful. Sanctions on potash were dropped and 250 prisoners are now safely across the border. Boeing even profited, being allowed to supply spare parts to Belarus' aging airline, Belavia, and for Lukashenko's presidential jet. According to the article, the U.S. hopes Lukashenko can be used to sell the benefits of the deal to Putin. "It could be a test run for the Trump administration's central prize of bringing Putin and Russian's $2 trillion economy out of isolation." Sounds great, but if Russia's full integration into the world economy didn't stop it from aggression in 2022, why should anyone trust that economic re-integration would have a different result. It seems to me the only guarantee of Russian peace is to address the route cause of the conflict: Putin. Short of that, we'll need massive security guarantees for Ukraine. Also, if I were Lukashenko, I would be careful about sidling up to Trump, too much. Putin is watching and he expects a certain degree of loyalty from his smaller, autocrat neighbor. Oh, apparently Lukashenko also drinks a lot of vodka, specifically his own President-branded variety. Didn't another world leader once plaster their own name on vodka bottles? https://www.wsj.com/world/belarus-lukashenko-obesity-drug-02941fb3?mod=Searchresults&pos=1&page=1