Maria Kolesnikova

Maria Kolesnikova is a prominent Belarusian opposition activist. She was among 123 political prisoners recently released from Belarusian prisons following a deal between Belarus and the United States, which included the lifting of some US sanctions, specifically those related to potash. Her release, along with that of Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski, is part of a broader rapprochement between Washington and Minsk. Kolesnikova's release is newsworthy due to her high profile as an opposition leader and the international attention surrounding political prisoners in Belarus. The released prisoners have been seen reuniting with loved ones in Ukraine and Lithuania. This event highlights the ongoing political situation in Belarus and the role of international diplomacy in securing the release of political prisoners.