Meanwhile, the U.S. is seeking the release of more than 1,100 Belarusian prisoners.
The United States has begun to ease sanctions pressure on Belarus following the release of 250 political prisoners, Deutsche Welle reports. Following negotiations in Minsk, U.S. Special Representative John Cole stated that the parties are working on a possible visit by Alexander Lukashenko to the United States—a step that would be a breakthrough for the authoritarian ruler after years of isolation.
A key element of the negotiations was the release of prisoners. According to the human rights center "Viasna," 250 individuals were pardoned with the assistance of the United States. Among them are well-known figures, including Valentin Stefanovich, Marfa Rabkova, and Nasta Loiko. Fifteen of the released individuals have left the country, while the others remain in Belarus.
Against the backdrop of these steps, Washington has made significant concessions: "Belaruskaliy" and the Belarusian Potash Company—key sources of the country's export revenue—have been removed from the sanctions lists. Restrictions on "Belinvestbank," the Development Bank, and the Ministry of Finance have also been lifted. Previously, similar agreements were accompanied by the release of dozens of prisoners, including Nobel Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition politicians.
The negotiations also address the possible restoration of the U.S. embassy's operations in Minsk, which was closed after the start of the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the U.S. is seeking the release of more than 1,100 Belarusian prisoners.
