Belarus frees 123 prisoners including Ales Bialiatski as US lifts sanctions

Al JazeeraCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete December 13, 2025 at 04:10 PM

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In December 2025, Belarus released 123 prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova. This release occurred after the United States lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash, a key fertilizer component. The prisoner release, the largest under Lukashenko since talks began with the US, also included 114 Ukrainian prisoners of war and Belarusian political prisoners, according to Ukraine's prisoner of war coordination center. The US decision followed two days of talks between US Special Envoy John Coale and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. The move signals a potential improvement in relations between the US and Belarus, with expectations of further sanctions relief and renewed international legitimacy for Lukashenko.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

European Union 50% UK 50% Vladimir Putin ×260% Ukraine ×260% Maria Kolesnikova ×270% Belarus ×480% Alexander Lukashenko ×380% United States ×380% Ales Bialiatski ×4100%

Keywords

prisoner release 100% belarus 90% sanctions relief 90% lukashenko 80% ales bialiatski 80% us sanctions 70% political prisoners 70% potash 60% international legitimacy 50% opposition figure 40%