Belarus Welcomes Franklin Graham, US Sanctions Lifted

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko welcomed U.S. Rev. Franklin Graham to Belarus for the largest evangelical Christian gathering in the country's history. This visit is part of Alexander Lukashenko's broader efforts to improve ties with the West, particularly the United States. As a result of U.S.-brokered deals, Belarus has released hundreds of political prisoners, and the United States has lifted sanctions on some Belarusian state banks and potash producers. Alexander Lukashenko also asked Franklin Graham to convey greetings to Donald Trump, highlighting the importance of the U.S. president in these diplomatic advancements. While the visit is seen as a positive step by some, human rights organizations like Viasna note that Belarus still holds a significant number of political prisoners, and concerns about religious freedom persist, as highlighted by the United States — United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.