VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — In a significant move towards potential diplomatic thawing, Belarus announced the release of 52 political prisoners on Thursday, a gesture linked to a deal facilitated by the United States that saw some sanctions on Belarus’ national airline lifted.
This release indicates a possible shift in relations between Washington and Minsk, an ally of Russia that has faced extensive Western isolation due to its human rights violations and its cooperation with Moscow during the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently spoke with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, discussing the possibility of a future face-to-face meeting, a development that could bolster Lukashenko’s standing at home, where he has maintained a tight grip on power for over thirty years.
Despite extensive sanctions imposed by Western nations, Belarus has recently undertaken prisoner releases as part of a strategy to improve its relations with the West.
This has included the release of prominent dissident Siarhei Tsikhanouski in June, the husband of exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
The announcement of the prisoner release coincided with heightened tensions in the region. Just a day prior, Poland denounced incursions of Russian drones into its airspace, allegedly originating from Belarus, which NATO described as an act of aggression, leading to the deployment of jets that intercepted some of the drones.
In response to this complex geopolitical situation, Trump offered a somewhat vague public comment regarding the drone violations, questioning the motives behind Russia’s actions.
The relaxation of certain sanctions on Belavia, Belarus’ national carrier, will allow the airline to procure parts and repair its fleet, including Boeing aircraft, which had been restricted following a controversial incident in which the Belarusian government forced a commercial flight to land in Minsk to arrest a journalist.
This recent diplomatic concession from the U.S. followed meetings between Trump envoy John Coale and Lukashenko in Minsk, marking a significant moment in Belarus’ ongoing diplomatic struggles.
Tsikhanouskaya expressed caution regarding the easing of sanctions, emphasizing that without substantive reforms in Belarus, this could inadvertently strengthen both Lukashenko’s regime and Russia’s position.
She highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring, stating that easing sanctions without addressing systemic issues can lead to exploitation of loopholes.
Among the recently released prisoners, veteran opposition activist Mikalai Statkevich took a stand against leaving the country by refusing to enter Lithuania, instead attempting to return to Belarus but was prevented from doing so by border guards.
Statkevich’s actions mirror the courageous response of Maria Kolesnikova, a key figure in the protests against Lukashenko’s regime in 2020, who also resisted forced deportation efforts.
Of the 52 freed prisoners, 51 chose to cross into Lithuania, while Statkevich remained in an undefined area between the borders of the two countries, with supporters praising his determination.
Statkevich has been a prominent opponent of Lukashenko, initially attempting to run for president in 2010 before being imprisoned and later convicted again for political dissent.
Notably included among those released was Ihar Losik, a journalist associated with U.S. government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as well as several other media professionals, party and union leaders, and 14 foreigners.
Franak Viachorka, a senior advisor to Tsikhanouskaya, confirmed that while many of the released individuals were in satisfactory condition, some required immediate medical attention due to their time in detention.
The emotional toll of the releases was evident, particularly in the case of Elena Ramanauskienė, a Lithuanian woman who broke into tears upon her return after serving a six-year sentence under espionage charges.
However, not all released individuals felt the same relief. Journalist Larysa Shchyrakova expressed sorrow over being deported after serving her sentence, noting the personal loss of her mother during her incarceration and lamenting her lack of a place to return.
The status of political prisoners in Belarus remains dire, with human rights group Viasna estimating that nearly 1,200 individuals remain unlawfully detained due to their political beliefs, and President Donald Trump has indicated a desire to negotiate the release of additional prisoners.
Efforts to improve U.S.-Belarus relations could be seen as parallel to Trump’s previous approaches with Russia, as he seeks to enhance diplomatic ties with nations previously viewed with skepticism.
In recent discussions with Lukashenko, Trump openly expressed gratitude for the recent prisoner release while hinting at the possibility of broader negotiations regarding the fate of other detainees.
The prospect of a future meeting between Trump and Lukashenko, should it transpire, would mark a startling transformation for a leader long criticized for his authoritarian practices and disregard for democratic principles, particularly after widespread protests followed what many deemed a fraudulent election in 2020.
In the wake of those protests, thousands of individuals were detained, and many opposition leaders were either imprisoned or forced into exile to escape Lukashenko’s crackdown on dissent.
Amid these complex dynamics, the outlook for Belarus remains uncertain, as the situation evolves and international scrutiny persists.
Karmanau reported from Barcelona, Spain, while additional contributions came from Associated Press writers in various locations across Europe and the United States.
image source from：kptv
