Belarus to release 25 prisoners in exchange for partial lifting of US sanctions

Belarus will release 25 prisoners as a gesture of goodwill, US special envoy John Cole said. In exchange, the US side will lift sanctions against two Belarusian companies - Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom.

“The parties will continue to work to resolve outstanding issues. When all issues are resolved and agreed by both sides, other persons will be released, and sanctions will be lifted from Belarusian companies, John Cole told reporters after talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. “We have made great progress, in my view. And we will continue our joint work, the US special envoy said.

John Cole arrived in Minsk on September 15. In particular, he said that the US authorities appealed to Citibank with a request to unfreeze and return its assets to Belarus. As Alexander Lukashenko said, it is about $44 million. The release of prisoners was also discussed. Mr. Lukashenko, in particular, called the allegations of repression in the republic false.

Since 2025, the United States has been easing sanctions against Belarus. In exchange, the government began releasing prisoners. In March, Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 250 prisoners on “extremist” charges.

Lucine Balasian