Belarus Releases Political Prisoners Amid US Sanctions Relief

Tue Oct 21 2025 02:53:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant diplomatic move, Belarus has released 52 political prisoners in return for the easing of sanctions by the United States, amidst ongoing military exercises with Russia.

Belarus has freed 52 political prisoners, including journalists and activists, in a deal with the U.S. that relaxes sanctions on the Belarusian airline Belavia. This negotiation follows heightened military cooperation between Belarus and Russia and a backdrop of recent tensions in the region. The prisoner release aims to improve Belarus's strained ties with the West amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent.

Dozens of political prisoners have been freed from Belarusian prisons as part of a deal between authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump.

Fifty-two prisoners have been released, including trade union leaders, journalists, and activists, but more than 1,000 political prisoners remain in jail.

In exchange, the US has announced it will relieve some sanctions on the Belarusian airline Belavia, which will now be able to purchase parts for its airplanes.

The release coincided with joint military exercises involving Belarus and its close ally Russia, as well as what Poland described as an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace.

Poland has responded by closing its borders with Belarus due to the Zapad-2025 drills, while Latvia is partially restricting its airspace.

Russia's foreign ministry condemned Poland's actions, referring to them as 'confrontational steps.' The EU’s foreign policy chief indicated that 'Putin is mocking the efforts' of the West to manage the situation.

Lukashenko claimed the release was a humanitarian gesture after a meeting with Trump's special envoy, John Coale, in Minsk. The discussion centered around reopening trade relationships, including the potential reopening of the US embassy.

The US closed its embassy in February 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which utilized Belarusian territory as a launchpad.

Recent months have seen over 300 prisoners released as part of Lukashenko's strategy to improve relationships with Europe and the US, largely influenced by economic sanctions linked to Belarus's involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Some of the recent releases have been in exchange for exiles instead of returning home.

Among the released are well-known dissidents, with notable figures remaining steadfast in resisting exile. For instance, Mikola Statkevich, a prominent opposition figure, refused to leave Belarus, emphasizing the right for every citizen to live without oppression in their own country.

This prisoner release reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts to reshape Belarus's international standing while addressing the larger geopolitical tensions involving Russia and the West.