Trending Now - North Korea and Belarus Forge Closer Ties With New Pact
WHO:
Kim Jong Un expressed “solidarity and full support” for Belarus during the meeting.
President Alexander Lukashenko, leader of Belarus
Kim Jong Un, leader of North Korea
John Coale, special envoy to Belarus appointed by President Trump
Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kolesnikova, prominent opposition figures in Belarus
WHAT:
Lukashenko attended a concert and a formal reception hosted by Kim during his visit.
Lukashenko stated, “Just in case enemies show up,” when presenting an assault rifle to Kim.
The friendship and cooperation treaty was signed on March 26th, 2026, during Lukashenko's two-day official visit to Pyongyang.
Lukashenko stated, “Yes, we didn’t have close cooperation, largely due to our own fault. But I am sincerely pleased to note that cooperation has now significantly intensified.”
Lukashenko emphasized the need for independent countries to cooperate more closely, stating, “In today’s reality of a global transformation, when the global powers openly ignore and violate international law, independent countries need to cooperate more closely, consolidate efforts aimed at protecting their sovereignty and improving the well-being of our citizens.”
Coale mentioned that his first meeting with Lukashenko lasted two hours, during which he limited himself to two shots of vodka while some State Department colleagues drank more.
Coale stated, “If I have to use locker room language to get 500 political prisoners released, I will do it every time.”
Coale predicted that the Trump administration would be able to win the release of all political prisoners by the end of 2026, saying, “I’d be willing to bet on that.”
Coale expressed plans for additional trips to Belarus, expecting to result in the release of a “couple hundred” more political prisoners.
Lukashenko and Kim signed a friendship and cooperation treaty on March 26th, 2026
Lukashenko described the treaty as “fundamental” and stated that relations are “entering a new stage”
Several agreements and memorandums on cooperation in education, healthcare, and agriculture were signed
Coale reported that he helped negotiate the release of 250 political prisoners in Belarus
The release of political prisoners was the largest one-time release in Belarus
Coale described the release as a “significant humanitarian milestone”
Coale stated he plans to win the release of all political prisoners by the end of 2026
WHERE:
Pyongyang, North Korea
Minsk, Belarus
Arizona State University, location of Coale's appearance
WHEN:
The meeting and signing of the treaty occurred on March 26th, 2026.
The meeting between Lukashenko and Kim took place on March 26th, 2026
Lukashenko and Kim last met in September 2025
Coale was appointed as deputy special envoy to Ukraine in March 2025
Coale helped win the release of 14 political prisoners in June 2025
The mass protests against Lukashenko's rule occurred in 2020
Lukashenko won a seventh term in the presidential election in 2025
WHY:
Lukashenko aims to improve relations with the West and reduce sanctions, as indicated by the recent release of political prisoners.
Lukashenko aims to improve relations with the West and reduce sanctions
Coale's goal is to win the release of political prisoners in Belarus
Lukashenko expressed solidarity with North Korea against Western pressure
HOW:
The leaders exchanged gifts, including a sword and a large vase from Kim and an assault rifle from Lukashenko.
Lukashenko and Kim exchanged gifts, including a sword and a vase from Kim and an assault rifle from Lukashenko
Coale used informal language and vodka shots to build rapport with Lukashenko during their meetings
Coale's direct diplomacy is credited with facilitating the release of political prisoners
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 09:15 UTC)
On March 26, 2026, Kim Jong Un and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko signed a friendship and cooperation treaty during Lukashenko's official visit to Pyongyang. During the meeting, Lukashenko presented an assault rifle to Kim, stating, “Just in case enemies show up,” while the two leaders exchanged gifts, including a sword and a large vase from Kim. This visit comes as Lukashenko seeks to improve relations with the West, highlighted by the recent release of political prisoners in Belarus.
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(UPDATED March 27, 2026 01:23 UTC)
President Trump’s administration is optimistic about securing the release of all political prisoners in Belarus by the end of 2026, with Coale expressing confidence in this goal. During a recent two-hour meeting with Lukashenko, Coale emphasized the importance of using any means necessary, even "locker room language," to achieve this outcome. Lukashenko also acknowledged a shift in cooperation between their countries, highlighting the need for independent nations to unite in the face of global challenges and protect their sovereignty.
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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 23:14 UTC)
On March 26, 2026, President Lukashenko of Belarus and Kim Jong Un of North Korea signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, which Lukashenko described as “fundamental” and a step toward a new stage in their relations. During this meeting, special envoy John Coale reported that he helped negotiate the release of 250 political prisoners in Belarus, marking the largest one-time release in the country's history, and he aims to secure the release of all political prisoners by the end of the year. Coale's informal approach, which included building rapport over vodka shots, has been credited with facilitating this significant humanitarian milestone.