Belarus Releases Political Prisoners Amid U.S. Sanctions Easing
VILNIUS, Lithuania — On Saturday, Belarusian authorities released notable political figures, including Nobel Peace Prize recipient Ales Bialiatsky and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, as confirmed by human rights organizations.
This release seems to coincide with efforts by President Alexander Lukashenko to foster better ties with the United States.
Earlier that day, the U.S. announced it would ease sanctions on Belarus’s potash sector, leading Lukashenko to pardon 123 prisoners, according to state media Belta.
Minsk, closely allied with Russia, has endured years of Western sanctions and isolation. Lukashenko has had a firm grip on the nation of 9.5 million for over three decades, facing repeated sanctions for human rights abuses and for allowing Russian operations during its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Since July 2024, Belarus has released hundreds of prisoners.
John Cole, the U.S. special envoy to Belarus, made the announcement about lifting sanctions following talks with Lukashenko. Cole remarked that discussions had been “very productive” and expressed hopes to normalize relations between Washington and Minsk.
Bialiatsky and Kolesnikova Among Those Released
Pavel Sapelka, an activist from the Viastna group, confirmed the release of Bialiatsky and Kolesnikova.
Bialiatsky, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, was imprisoned on allegations of smuggling and public order offenses, which many see as politically driven. He was sentenced to ten years in 2023.
Kolesnikova, a significant player during the large-scale protests in Belarus back in 2020, became a symbol of resistance, notably when she tore up her passport to avoid deportation.
The 43-year-old flutist was convicted in 2021 on conspiracy charges and sentenced to eleven years in prison.
Other Political Figures Released
Others released include Viktar Babaryka, a former presidential candidate, who faced 14 years in prison on charges he deemed politically motivated.
Viasna also reported the release of defenders Valiantsin Stefanovic and Vladimir Lapković, along with opposition figure Maxim Zunak. Many of those released were taken to Ukraine, as indicated by Tsikhanouskaya’s adviser, Franak Vyachorka.
Vyachorka suggested that the transfer of political prisoners was a strategy by Lukashenko to project control over the situation.
Ukrainian authorities confirmed the handover of 114 civilians, with President Zelenskiy stating that five were Ukrainian nationals.
Lukashenko’s Intentions with the West
Following a meeting in September 2025, U.S. officials reported easing some sanctions in exchange for Belarus releasing over 50 political prisoners. This indicated a potential shift toward better relations, as more than 430 prisoners have been released since mid-2024.
Tsikhanouskaya, while acknowledging Lukashenko’s attempt to ease sanctions, cautioned that repression remains ongoing, and the Belarusian support for Russia’s war in Ukraine persists. She urged careful consideration of any moves toward sanctions relief.
Belarus’s potash export sector, once a major contributor to global supply, has suffered significantly from Western sanctions, leading to a noticeable decline in shipments.
Analysts assess that sanctions from the U.S. and EU have severely undermined Belarus’s economy, jeopardizing crucial foreign exchange earnings.
The Belarusian government is hopeful that the recent U.S. sanctions lift might initiate further easing from European authorities, which could lead to discussions on lasting changes in the political landscape.
During the latest talks, Kohl mentioned Lukashenko had offered “good advice” regarding the war in Ukraine, highlighting a complex relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Kohl recognized that not all advice might be accepted by the Kremlin.
