123 Belarusian Political Prisoners Freed in US-Led Negotiations
A total of 123 Belarusian political prisoners were freed, including notable figures such as Maria Kolesnikova, Viktor Babaryka, and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski. This release followed US-led negotiations that included a visit to Minsk by John Coale, former envoy under President Trump. The discussions linked sanctions relief on Belarus, particularly on potash exports, to the prisoner's release. Some of the freed prisoners were transferred to Ukraine, while seven foreign nationals were brought to Lithuania. Among the Belarusians relocating to Lithuania, only Ales Bialiatski remained.
The announcement sparked celebrations outside the US embassy in Vilnius, where crowds gathered waving the red-and-white Belarusian opposition flag. Despite these developments, EU sanctions on Belarus remain in place, reflecting continued policy differences in the region. The move is seen as a sign that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is re-engaging with the United States after years of Western isolation.
Both Bialiatski and Kolesnikova called for continued optimism and activism to ensure the liberation of all political prisoners and to maintain pressure on the Belarusian regime.
