Lukashenko calls on Trump to use his “most formidable weapon” — Melania

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that he invited Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and his family to visit Belarus, while also suggesting that First Lady Melania Trump should play a more active role in addressing international issues. Lukashenko made the remarks while answering questions after delivering his address to the Belarusian people and parliament, according to BelTA.

Speaking at the Seventh All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, Lukashenko described Melania Trump as what he called Trump’s “most formidable weapon.” He said he had conveyed this view to the US president’s special envoy for Belarus, John Cole, asking him to pass along a message to Trump. “Why don’t you use the strongest weapon you have—Melania? She is our kind of person, she is Slavic,” Lukashenko said.

According to the Belarusian president, Melania Trump could be more actively involved in resolving political and international issues, which he believes would benefit her husband. At the same time, he added an ironic note, saying he was reluctant to invite the first lady to Minsk. “She is, after all, an attractive woman, and out of jealousy, Trump might completely cut off all negotiations with us,” Lukashenko remarked jokingly.

During the question-and-answer session, Lukashenko was also asked whether Belarus should pursue the repatriation of people with Belarusian roots. Opposition politician Anna Kanopatskaya suggested starting by using Lukashenko’s reportedly good relations with the US president to invite the family of Jared Kushner, whose ancestors came from Belarus, ahead of an important Jewish holiday, so they could visit their ancestral homeland.

Responding with humour, Lukashenko said: “No matter how hard I try, I am unlikely to succeed in repatriating Kushner to Belarus. But I will certainly try.” He added that Belarus had already extended invitations through Prime Minister Alexander Turchin, noting that Kushner’s ancestors were from the Novogrudok district.

Lukashenko also said that Belarus had invited Kushner’s father, Charles Kushner, who currently serves as the US ambassador to France. “We invited him as well, we maintain relations with him. He responds, we talk. The same applies to Kushner,” Lukashenko said, adding that the invitation may not have reached them. “But when I meet Trump, I will definitely remind him of this on your behalf,” he stated.

Concluding his remarks, Lukashenko said that involving Kushner in international affairs had already yielded results. “He has done quite a lot, frankly speaking, whether in Gaza or in the Ukrainian conflict,” the Belarusian leader said. “But not only Kushner should be involved. Melania should also be involved.”

By Tamilla Hasanova