Trump's envoy meets Lukashenko for new talks on Belarus prisoner releases
Coale said the deal would free 25 prisoners and lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies as Washington seeks broader releases.
- On Tuesday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale in Tallinn, Estonia, to seek the lifting of remaining U.S. sanctions against his country.
- Washington previously helped broker a March deal where Lukashenko released 250 political prisoners, lifting sanctions on two state banks, the Finance Ministry, and potash producers.
- Despite these negotiations, Viasna reports Belarus still holds 912 political prisoners, including 20 journalists, as lawyer Pavel Sapelka described a 'revolving door' policy of constant new arrests.
- Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump and Coale for prioritizing political prisoners, though she emphasized 'repression continues' and urged Washington to focus on emptying prisons.
- Analyst Valery Karbalevich suggests U.S. contacts allow Lukashenko to reduce dependence on the Kremlin, even as he claimed, 'There is no need for us to persecute anyone for political reasons today.
133 Articles
133 Articles
Twenty-five prisoners were released in Belarus today. This was reported by US envoy John Coale on the social media platform X. He spoke with Belarusian President Lukashenko in the capital, Mink. The releases come in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions on two Belarusian companies. For instance, a paint manufacturing company and a state-owned enterprise overseeing the forestry and paper pulp sectors were removed from the sanctions list. Acc…
The Record
Belarus frees 25 prisoners in exchange for the US lifting some sanctions, envoy says
By YURAS KARMANAU TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — The U.S. special envoy for Belarus said Wednesday that the country’s authorities have agreed to release 25 prisoners in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions against two Belarusian companies. John Coale, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Belarus, made the statement a day after meeting Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who pushed for the remaining U.S. sanctions against …
After John Coale's talks, 25 prison doors open. And US President Trump's special envoy wants to continue: he hopes for help for many more prisoners - but not without consideration.
Minsk has released another 25 political prisoners after talks with Washington. In return, the US has lifted sanctions against two companies in the authoritarian state. Belarusian opposition leader Tikhanovskaya takes the floor.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
