Belarus releases 25 political prisoners as US pursues sanctions talks with Minsk
Belarus has released 25 political prisoners amid ongoing negotiations with the United States that include potential sanctions relief, US presidential envoy John Coale said on Sept. 16.
“25 prisoners are free today!” Coale wrote, thanking Lithuania for its support and saying Washington was working to secure further releases “in the very near future.”
“We will continue to improve US-Belarus relations and are working to secure the release of more people,” he said.
Belarusian authorities said the latest agreement would see the United States lift sanctions on Belarusian companies Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom, with further prisoner releases and sanctions relief expected to be discussed in future negotiations.
The latest release follows several previous rounds of negotiations between Washington and Minsk.
In March, Belarus released 250 political prisoners after the United States lifted sanctions on several Belarusian entities, including Belinvestbank, the Development Bank of Belarus and potash producer Belaruskali.
In September 2025, Belarus released another 52 prisoners following talks with Coale, while the United States eased sanctions on Belarusian state airline Belavia.