The U.S. special envoy for Belarus announced on Wednesday that Belarusian authorities have agreed to release 25 prisoners. This decision is part of a broader agreement that includes the lifting of U.S. sanctions on several Belarusian companies. The development marks a significant shift in U.S.-Belarus relations, as the two sides navigate complex political dynamics.
“25 prisoners are free today! As part of a deal in March that Washington helped broker, Lukashenko ordered the release of 250 political prisoners, while the U.S. agreed to lift sanctions on two Belarusian state banks and the country’s Finance Ministry, and to remove the top Belarusian potash producers from a sanctions list. Belarusian authorities haven’t announced any details of the prisoners’ release yet.
Coale said on X, adding that “President Trump’s commitment to direct diplomacy delivers results. “We will continue to improve U.S.-Belarus relations and are working to secure the release of more people in the very near future,” Coale said. Speaking before the meeting with Coale, Lukashenko said that he’s open for discussing “a deal big or small. Lukashenko also said that he would like to discuss the prospects for lifting more U.S. sanctions and exporting Belarusian fertilizers to the U.S.
John Coale, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Belarus, made the statement a day after meeting Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who pushed for the remaining U.S. sanctions against his country to be lifted. He also thanked Lukashenko and authorities in Lithuania, a European Union member that neighbors Belarus, for their support. “We are not finished!
Tsikhanouskaya Acknowledges U.S. Support for Political Prisoners
Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed her gratitude on Tuesday towards former President Trump, Coale, and the U.S. administration for prioritizing the issue of political prisoners in Belarus. She highlighted that their involvement has already yielded tangible results.
