Trump Has Nominated A Candidate For The Position Of Special Representative For Hostage Affairs
2- 4.10.2026, 17:13
Photo: Reuters
John Cole, the U.S. Special Representative for Belarus, has been nominated for the position.
Lawyer John Cole has been nominated as the U.S. President’s Special Representative for Hostage Affairs. U.S. President Donald Trump announced this on Truth Social.
According to him, while serving as special envoy, Cole secured the return of more than 65 Americans and citizens of allied nations from Belarus and negotiated the release of more than 800 political prisoners from several Eastern European countries.
“In this role, Cole will work tirelessly to bring American citizens home. His predecessor Adam Beler, who did an incredible job bringing home 196 hostages, will continue to assist with other matters as a senior advisor,” Trump wrote.
On September 15, Lukashenko held his fourth meeting with Cole in two years. The diplomat promised to fulfill the Belarusian dictator’s demand to return $44 million “stuck” in the U.S. “Citibank,” which Minsk was supposed to receive for the supply of potash fertilizers.