NYT > World News Hours Before Putin Meeting, Trump Calls Belarusian Leader, Kremlin’s Closest Ally Par :Ivan Nechepurenko 15 août 2025 à 13:30 President Trump referred to the authoritarian ruler of Belarus, who has been isolated by the West for years, “the highly respected President.” © Alexander Zemlianichenko/Associated PressPresident Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus during a news conference in Minsk in 2023. President Trump said he spoke on Friday with Mr. Lukashenko, who has long been shunned by Western leaders.