Dozens of political prisoners have been freed from Belarusian prisons as part of a deal between authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and US President Donald Trump. Fifty-two prisoners have been released, including trade union leaders, journalists, and activists, but more than 1,000 political prisoners remain in jail.
In exchange, the US has said it will relieve some sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to buy parts for its airplanes. The prisoner release came on the eve of joint military exercises involving Belarus and close ally Russia, and after what neighboring Poland called an unprecedented Russian drone incursion into its airspace.
Poland is closing its borders with Belarus due to the Zapad-2025 drills, which last until Tuesday. Latvia is also closing part of its airspace. Russia's foreign ministry condemned Poland's leadership for its 'confrontational steps' in closing the border. Meanwhile, the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, told the BBC that 'Putin is mocking the efforts' by the West to deal with him.
Lukashenko, who has led Belarus since 1994, characterized the release of the prisoners as a humanitarian gesture after his meeting with Trump's special envoy John Coale in Minsk. The two discussed re-establishing a trade relationship, including reopening the US embassy in Minsk, which was closed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
Belarus is eager to rebuild economic ties with the US as it has faced extensive sanctions due to its links with Russia's military actions. Some sanctions on Belavia have been lifted as a result of the recent prisoner releases.
Human rights groups report that many of the political prisoners released, including prominent opposition figures, had been detained since the 2020 protests against Lukashenko's re-election, widely viewed as fraudulent. Notably among the freed were 69-year-old philosopher Vladimir Matskevich and journalist Igor Losik.
While the prisoner release has been met with relief from some quarters, concerns remain regarding the ongoing repression within Belarus and the precarious position of those still incarcerated. The developments also highlight the complex dynamics of international relations in the region, as Lukashenko navigates pressure from the West while maintaining alignment with Russia.
In her first statements post-release, former journalist Larissa Shchyrakova remarked on the conditions of her imprisonment and the circumstances of her release, emphasizing the difficult choices faced by many political prisoners.
The broader implications of this exchange remain uncertain, particularly as discussions about further diplomatic relations continue amid ongoing military maneuvers by Belarusian and Russian forces.
