MINSK — Former U.S. President Donald Trump praised Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Truth Social earlier this month following a deal in which approximately 250 political prisoners were released in exchange for the easing of U.S. sanctions on Belarusian state institutions and companies. Trump thanked Lukashenko for his “cooperation and friendship” and added: “So nice!”

The U.S. has steadily eased sanctions initially imposed to punish Belarus for allowing Russia to use its territory as a staging ground for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The prisoner release and partial sanctions relief mark a shift in U.S. engagement with Lukashenko’s government, which has held power since 1994. Lukashenko has been accused of flagrant human rights violations, including jailing or exiling key opposition figures and suppressing independent media.

Lukashenko has expressed hopes of sealing a “big deal” with the U.S. and could attend a meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace later this year. The Belarusian leader, who often refers to himself as “Batka,” or “Father,” faced international criticism after the disputed 2020 presidential election, which officials claimed he won with more than 80% of the vote. Hundreds of protesters were imprisoned following the election, and key opposition figures were jailed or forced into exile.

Franak Viacorka, chief of staff to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said Trump’s praise for Lukashenko is “unpleasant to hear.” He said in late March, “We understand that it’s the price for freeing our people.” Viacorka added, “I think Americans are not naive. They understand well who Lukashenko is.”

Pavel Slunkin, a former Belarusian diplomat who resigned over Lukashenko’s handling of the post-2020 protests, said, “The regime in Belarus has never been as repressive as it is now, maybe only during the Stalin times.” Slunkin added, “When Donald Trump tweets that he likes Lukashenko, I think it’s pretty much sincere.” He said both leaders are skeptical about human rights and the European Union, sympathetic toward Russia, and enjoy being praised, noting, “This is maybe the first time in his over 30-year rule when a U.S. president unequivocally accepts him as he is.” Europe has not lifted its economically significant sanctions on Belarus, and Lukashenko remains largely isolated on the continent aside from his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.