Trump Envoy Scores Border Breakthrough

0:00The latest international headlines, politics, and world affairs, right here on global news today. U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, John Cole, announced great progress this week in easing tensions between Belarus and its neighbor Lithuania. Belarus, a close Russian ally, and Lithuania, a NATO and European Union member have had rocky relations for years. Cole's efforts focus on key irritants that have strained their border ties. Tensions spiked back in 2020 when Lithuania backed protesters in Belarus after President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in a disputed election. Since then, Lithuania has pointed fingers at Minsk for pushing migrants across the border and using high-altitude balloons for cigarettes muggling. Those balloons have forced more than a dozen closures at Bionius Airport, and Belarus recently seized hundreds of Lithuanian trucks. Cole met with Lithuanian leaders earlier this week to hear their concerns before holding hours-long talks with Lukashenko on Thursday. The meetings paid off

1:03right away. Lukashenko agreed to release 250 political prisoners, and the U.S. lifted some sanctions in response. Cole said Lukashenko now views these border issues as minor and worth dropping. Earlier this winter, Lukashenko had already promised to halt the balloon flights into Lithuania. Officials hoped this momentum leased the smoother relations ahead, Dean and the sponsor of our partner. Some chased peace. I put my head in it. S-O-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com