Belarus Negotiates Sanction Easing with US Through Political Prisoner Release

Mon Sep 15 2025 14:54:41 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant political maneuver, Belarus releases dozens of political prisoners in exchange for the easing of US sanctions. This action highlights a rare diplomatic engagement between Belarus and the United States amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Belarus has freed 52 political prisoners as part of a deal with the United States, which includes easing sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia. This move coincides with military exercises with Russia and aims to improve diplomatic relations following a long-standing isolation due to authoritarian governance. Despite this release, over 1,000 political detainees remain in Belarusian jails.

Belarus Negotiates Sanction Easing with US Through Political Prisoner Release

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 said it will relieve some sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to buy parts for its airline.

The prisoner release came on the eve of joint military exercises involving Belarus and close ally Russia and after what neighboring Poland called an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace.

Poland is closing its borders with Belarus due to the Zapad-2025 drills. Latvia is also closing part of its airspace. Russia's foreign ministry condemned Poland's actions, accusing its leadership of being confrontational. Meanwhile, the EU's foreign policy chief has warned that Russia's actions are a mockery of Western efforts.

Alexander Lukashenko, who has led Belarus since 1994, described the release of the prisoners as a humanitarian gesture after a meeting with the US special envoy in the capital Minsk.

This development is part of broader efforts to re-establish an economic relationship with the US, hindered by sanctions imposed due to Belarus's alignment with Russia's actions in Ukraine.

Despite the released prisoners' large numbers, their freedom came at the price of exile rather than being welcomed back home.

Human rights groups have tracked the release of 314 prisoners since last July as part of an effort by Lukashenko to cultivate better relations with the West.