Belarus frees 25 political prisoners in return for US sanctions relief

The Trump administration said more releases would be secured soon amid improved US-Belarus relations.Belarus on Wednesday freed 25 political prisoners as the United States lifted sanctions on two of the reclusive country’s companies, US envoy John Coale announced after his latest visit to Minsk.The release on Wednesday marked the culmination of a series of negotiations stretching back more than a year between Coale and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Russia reports downing 660 Ukrainian drones, denies seeking Belarus war aidlist 2 of 3Ukraine decimates Russian logistics, bringing chaos to Crimealist 3 of 3‘A concession to Zelenskyy’s ultimatum’: Ukraine’s triumph over Belarusend of listThose freed include human rights campaigners, political activists, journalists and lawyers.Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, where the freed prisoners were taken, Coale said he expected to return in about a month when he hopes to see “hundreds” freed.The US envoy praised US President Donald Trump on social media, saying his “commitment to direct diplomacy delivers results” and that the administration would continue to “improve US-Belarus relations”.Coale had been tasked by Trump with securing the release of hundreds of people. In March, the government of Belarus released 250 prisoners following a pardon.Lukashenko, in charge of the former Soviet state since 1994, has long been shunned by the West for repressing his opponents and supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.The releases came a day after Coale promised Lukashenko that US banks would return tens of millions of dollars in ⁠frozen Belarusian assets.The US envoy earlier said that the US would lift sanctions on Lakokraska, a paint and industrial coating manufacturer, and Bellesbumprom, a state-owned industrial enterprise that oversees the forestry, pulp and paper sectors.