The USA freed 250 Belarusian political prisoners: a weight loss drug helped in the negotiations.

According to ТСН: The United States reached an agreement with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to release over 250 political prisoners. Interestingly, the discussions during the negotiations also included possibilities for weight reduction.

John Cole, the special envoy of the US president, mentioned in an interview that during an informal dinner with Lukashenko, which was accompanied by significant amounts of alcohol, the possibility of easing sanctions was raised. Lukashenko noticed the appearance of the American official and asked if he had lost weight.

Cole confirmed and explained that the result was made possible thanks to the injectable drug Zepbound. After that, he handed Lukashenko an informational brochure from the drug manufacturer - Eli Lilly.

According to journalists, after this conversation, the American side considered the possibility of organizing the supply of the drug for personal use by Lukashenko. This episode became part of a broader negotiation process.

Contacts between Washington and Minsk

It is known that establishing contacts between the USA and Belarus was one of the first steps of Donald Trump's administration within the framework of a strategy aimed at gradually removing Russia and its economy from international isolation.

Recall that earlier the USA lifted sanctions on Belarus's potash industry and allowed the supply of spare parts for Belarusian aircraft, which indicates a partial easing of restrictions.

It is also worth noting that 109 former Belarusian political prisoners were successfully delivered to Poland and Lithuania. Thanks to the joint efforts of Ukraine and international partners, representatives of the Belarusian opposition, journalists, and public figures who had suffered for years from political repression were released.

This agreement on the release of political prisoners may become an important step towards improving relations between the USA and Belarus. At the same time, such negotiations emphasize discussions not only of political issues but also of health and welfare-related matters, highlighting new priorities in diplomatic contacts.