Among those released are Maria Kolesnikova, a leading face of the 2020 protest movement, and Ales Bialiatski, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and long-time human rights campaigner.

Sanctions Relief Tied to Prisoner Release

The breakthrough came after negotiations in Minsk involving John Coale, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Belarus. As part of the deal, Washington agreed to lift sanctions on potash, a major Belarusian export used in fertiliser production.

Coale described the move as part of a broader diplomatic reset, saying that as ties improve, additional sanctions could also be removed.

Kolesnikova Speaks After Years in Isolation

Kolesnikova, who had spent much of her detention in isolation since her arrest in 2020, spoke emotionally after regaining her freedom.

“It’s an incredible happiness,” she said, describing the simple joy of seeing the sunset and embracing loved ones again. However, she also stressed that many others remain behind bars.

“We think of those who are still imprisoned. I wait for the day when everyone is free and we can all embrace each other,” she added.

Transfer to Ukraine and Beyond

According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Kolesnikova and 113 others were transferred from Belarus into Ukraine. After medical checks, they are expected to be moved on to Poland and Lithuania.

A smaller group, including Bialiatski, was taken directly to Vilnius, where they were met by supporters and members of the Belarusian opposition in exile.

Opposition Reacts With Caution

Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was waiting near the US embassy in Vilnius, said the decision to route most prisoners through Ukraine came as a surprise and was made by President Alexander Lukashenko.

After reuniting with Bialiatski, she reiterated that the struggle was far from over. “Thousands are still imprisoned,” he said. “This release is important, but the fight continues.”

A Diplomatic Win for Lukashenko

The agreement marks a significant political gain for Lukashenko, whose presidency is not recognised by the European Union or the United States following disputed elections in 2020.

Western sanctions were tightened further in 2022 after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine using Belarusian territory. The easing of potash sanctions now signals a potential shift in Minsk’s international standing.

More High-Profile Releases

Also freed were opposition politician Viktor Babaryko, detained since 2020, and Marina Zolotova, editor-in-chief of the independent news outlet Tut.by. Their release adds to the significance of what is one of the largest single prisoner releases in recent years.

Sanctions as Leverage

Tikhanovskaya described the deal as proof that sanctions can force concessions from authoritarian governments. “Lukashenko doesn’t act out of goodwill,” she said. “He treats people as bargaining chips.”

She also noted that US sanctions policy remains flexible, warning that measures could be reimposed if commitments are not honoured.

A Shift in US Strategy

The engagement with Minsk represents a notable change in US foreign policy, contrasting sharply with Europe’s continued strategy of isolation. The US envoy also confirmed discussions with Lukashenko on Ukraine and Belarus’s potential role in future talks involving Russia.

While celebrations marked the prisoners’ release, opposition figures stress that meaningful change in Belarus will only come when political repression ends entirely.