Belarus releases 25 more political prisoners in connection with an interim agreement with the United States, a U.S. special envoy says. The freed prisoners are sent to Lithuania, according to reporting shared by outlets. U.S. envoy John Coale says the exchange is meant to improve relations while further negotiations continue.
Several outlets report that the sanctions relief involves lifting U.S. sanctions on two Belarusian companies: Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom. Coale frames the move as “goodwill” and indicates additional prisoner releases and broader sanctions relief could follow as more issues between Washington and Minsk are resolved.
Coverage also places the announcement in a wider pattern. Multiple outlets note that Washington has been pressing President Alexander Lukashenko to release political prisoners, and that larger prisoner amnesties have occurred previously under U.S.-mediated deals. Euronews adds that hundreds of political prisoners remain in custody, including people linked to the 2020 protests.
