Belarus Frees 123 Prisoners Following US Sanctions Agreement
Belarus has released 123 detainees, including well-known opposition figures, after reaching an agreement with the United States to ease economic sanctions on the country.
Among those freed are Maria Kolesnikova, a leading opposition activist jailed since 2020, and Ales Bialiatski, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent human rights defender.
The releases followed high-level talks in Minsk involving US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, marking a dramatic shift in US–Belarus relations.
Sanctions on Potash Lifted as Part of the Deal
As part of the agreement, Washington agreed to lift sanctions on potash, a critical export for Belarus and a key component in global fertiliser production.
US envoy John Coale confirmed that the move is part of a broader effort to normalise relations, stating that additional sanctions could be removed if progress continues.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and the sanctions had significantly impacted its economy, especially after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
High-Profile Opposition Figures Regain Freedom
Maria Kolesnikova, who spent much of her detention in solitary confinement, was transferred to Ukraine alongside more than 110 other released prisoners. After receiving medical care, they are expected to travel onward to Poland and Lithuania.
Her sister, Tatiana Khomich, confirmed her release, saying Kolesnikova appeared healthy and expressed gratitude to both the US administration and Belarusian authorities for negotiating her freedom.
Meanwhile, Ales Bialiatski arrived in Lithuania, where he reunited with exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, reaffirming his commitment to continue the fight for human rights in Belarus.
A Political Win for Lukashenko
The deal represents a significant diplomatic victory for President Alexander Lukashenko, who has faced years of international isolation following disputed elections and harsh crackdowns on protests.
Neither the US nor the EU formally recognises Lukashenko as Belarus’s legitimate president, but the agreement signals a clear shift in Washington’s approach, diverging sharply from Europe’s continued policy of isolation.
Opposition Leaders Warn Sanctions Are Leverage, Not Trust
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya cautioned that the releases were not acts of goodwill, but rather a calculated exchange.
She stressed that sanctions remain one of the few tools capable of pressuring authoritarian governments, noting that they can be reinstated if commitments are broken.
What Comes Next for Belarus and the West?
The US has also reportedly discussed Ukraine and regional diplomacy with Minsk, suggesting Belarus could play a future role in negotiations involving Russia.
However, thousands of political prisoners are believed to remain behind bars, raising questions about whether this deal marks a turning point—or merely a tactical pause in repression.
What do you think?
Is trading sanctions relief for prisoner releases a necessary diplomatic tool—or does it risk rewarding authoritarian behaviour?