Belarus has released 123 political prisoners, including 2020 opposition leader Maryja Kalesnikava and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, following indications from Washington that the U.S. would lift sanctions on Belarusian potash exports.
The released prisoners, including citizens of several countries, have left Belarus safely, according to a representative of opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
Diplomatic Context
State media reported that the releases were a result of discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, John Coale, who confirmed that Washington would remove sanctions on potash, a key Belarusian export product in the fertilizer sector.
“Following instructions from President Trump, the United States is lifting sanctions on potash,” said Coale. “This is a very positive step for Belarus.”
The two sides also discussed improving bilateral relations. Coale emphasized that talks covered future cooperation between the U.S. and Belarus, as well as broader geopolitical issues including the war in Ukraine and Venezuela.
Sanctions Background
U.S. sanctions were first imposed on Belarus in August 2021, targeting Belaruskali, the country’s largest fertilizer producer, which was deemed a key source of revenue and foreign currency for the Lukashenko regime.
Coale highlighted that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s long-standing relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin could be leveraged to influence Kremlin decisions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, though ultimate decisions remain with Putin.
“Lukashenko may be able to provide advice to President Putin, which could help facilitate negotiations,” Coale said.
This move marks a major political and diplomatic development in Belarus-U.S. relations, with potential implications for regional stability and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
