Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Yuras Karmanau

US to ease some Belarus sanctions after securing release of 25 political prisoners

  • Belarusian authorities agreed to release 25 political prisoners in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions on two Belarusian firms.
  • John Coale, President Donald Trump 's special envoy for Belarus , announced the interim deal following direct talks with President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk.
  • The newly freed individuals include journalists and media managers, with human rights advocates noting that authorities confiscated several passports in a forced deportation.
  • Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the release but warned that 887 political prisoners remain detained as repression continues.
  • The agreement builds on previous U.S.-mediated deals that have rolled back select sanctions in exchange for prisoner releases since President Donald Trump returned to office.

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.