The invitation by Belarus came as its autocratic leader has been trying to improve relations with the Trump administration, which has been receptive.

The release came as Aleksandr Lukashenko, the country’s authoritarian leader and an ally of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, seeks to normalize ties with the Trump administration.

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Rides in his hulking bulletproof Aurus with the Indian and North Korean leaders offered the Russian leader an ideal setting for deepening ties.

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