Belarus frees 250 political prisoners, US removes more sanctions in latest signs of thaw

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released 250 political prisoners on Thursday, the largest group to be freed so far. This action prompted the United States to further ease sanctions against Belarus, according to the US embassy in Lithuania. The prisoner releases are part of a negotiation process where Lukashenko seeks normalized relations with the US in exchange for reduced repression. Among those released were Marfa Rabkova, a coordinator for human rights group Viasna, and activist Valiantsin Stefanovic. The releases, which included bloggers, activists, journalists, and protesters, followed talks in Minsk between Lukashenko and a US envoy.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko released 250 political prisoners on Thursday, March 19, 2026, as part of an agreement with the United States. The deal, reached after Lukashenko met with U.S. envoy John Coale in Minsk, resulted in the lifting of some U.S. sanctions against Belarus. The U.S. will remove sanctions from two Belarusian state banks, the Finance Ministry, and top potash producers. Coale described the release as a significant humanitarian milestone achieved through direct diplomacy. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the release as a moment of hope.