In brief
Belarus has announced the release of 123 prisoners, which includes prominent opposition activists like Maria Kolesnikova and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski. This development follows the US's agreement to lift sanctions on potash, a key export for Belarus, as relations between the US and the Belarusian government normalize. The EU continues to reject Alexander Lukashenko's presidency, and the released individuals are expected to arrive in Vilnius soon.
Belarus has freed 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova, after the US agreed to lift sanctions on the Eastern European country.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski is also among those who have been freed following talks in Minsk with US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, John Coale.
The US has agreed to lift sanctions on potash, a key ingredient in fertilizer and an important export for the country whose president, Alexander Lukashenko, is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Coale indicated that as relations between the two countries normalize, further sanctions would be lifted.
The EU, however, continues to refuse recognition of Lukashenko as president.
Kolesnikova has been imprisoned since 2020, much of that time spent in isolation.
Her sister, Tatiana, who campaigned tirelessly for her release, was able to confirm the news through a video call with her.
A group of the recently released individuals is expected to arrive in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, prompting a gathering crowd outside the US embassy.
This breaking news story is being updated; more details will be published shortly.
