US Nominates Belarus Envoy Kowal as Hostage-Release Special Envoy, Expanding Mission to Russia

President Trump has nominated John Kowal, currently envoy to Belarus, for a new Senate-confirmed role as special envoy for hostage release, expanding his mandate to include freeing political prisoners in Russia. The shift from a non-confirmed to a confirmed position signals elevated priority, but details of the expanded mission remain unclear, raising questions about scope and feasibility.