On December 14, 2025, it was reported that John Coale, the special envoy of President Trump, stated on Saturday, December 13, that Belarusian President Lukashenko has promised to stop the incidents of meteorological hot air balloons flying from Belarus to Lithuania.
Coale told Reuters in Vilnius, Lithuania on Saturday that President Lukashenko has also pledged to resolve the border dispute with neighboring Lithuania.
“He recently agreed to do everything in his power to prevent these balloons from crossing,” Coale said.
These meteorological hot air balloons have been used by smugglers to smuggle cigarettes, leading to the closure of Vilnius Airport more than ten times in recent months.
Lithuania has accused Belarus of facilitating such activities, describing it as a “hybrid attack,” and has declared a state of emergency. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also called such intrusions “completely unacceptable.”
Coale expressed his belief that President Lukashenko is genuinely trying to calm the situation and has assured him of his desire to establish normal relations with neighboring countries. He added, “I know Lithuania has made every effort to prevent these cigarettes or other smuggled goods from reaching the recipients. So, I think both sides are making efforts.”
This outcome was achieved after two days of talks between Coale and President Lukashenko. This significant diplomatic engagement also led to Belarus releasing 123 political prisoners in exchange for the US lifting sanctions on potassium fertilizer.
On Saturday, Lukashenko ordered the release of 123 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and prominent opposition figure Maria Kalesnikova.
In return, the US announced the lifting of sanctions on Belarus’ critical potassium fertilizer industry.
US officials believe that through this diplomatic effort, there is a possibility of partially distancing Lukashenko from the influence of Russian President Putin.