Belarus released 52 prisoners of different nationalities, including an EU staff member, following direct talks with a U.S. delegation.
The move came after former President Donald Trump personally urged Alexander Lukashenko to let the detainees go. After their release, the group crossed into Lithuania together with American diplomats, the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius confirmed.
In exchange, Washington will ease sanctions on Belavia, Belarus’ state airline, allowing it to service and purchase Boeing aircraft parts. Observers see this as part of Minsk’s attempt to repair ties with the United States after years of sanctions and political isolation.
Among those freed was journalist Ihar Losik, sentenced in 2021 to 15 years in prison. Still, rights groups stressed that most high-profile critics of Lukashenko remain behind bars. One released prisoner, believed to be opposition politician Mikola Statkevich, refused to cross the border and stayed in the neutral zone between Belarus and Lithuania.
Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said the release covers only about 4% of all recognized political prisoners. “This is essentially a trade in human lives — people who should never have been imprisoned at all,” she said, urging the EU to maintain sanctions until democratic change is achieved.
Lukashenko, meanwhile, called the move a “gesture of friendship” toward Trump and hinted at the prospect of a “big deal.” The Belarusian president continues to insist there are no political prisoners in the country, claiming all detainees are criminals who “chose their own fate.”
The releases came amid heightened regional tensions: just a day earlier, Poland reported shooting down Russian drones over its territory, while joint military drills between Russia and Belarus are set to begin.
