Belarus has made a significant move by releasing 123 prisoners, including prominent figures such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition activist Maria Kalesnikava. This decision comes in the wake of the United States lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash, a crucial export for the country. The move is seen as a diplomatic exchange between the two nations, marking a potential shift in relations.
The release of these political prisoners, who have been detained for their opposition to the government, is a positive development that has been welcomed by human rights advocates and international observers. Ales Bialiatski, in particular, had been a symbol of resistance against the authoritarian regime in Belarus, and his freedom is seen as a step towards greater political openness in the country.
The decision to release the prisoners came after two days of talks between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and a US envoy, signaling a willingness on both sides to engage in dialogue and negotiation. The US lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash is seen as a gesture of goodwill towards the country, potentially paving the way for further cooperation in the future.
While some view this move as a positive step towards improving relations between Belarus and the US, others remain skeptical of Lukashenko’s intentions and the true motivations behind the prisoner release. Critics argue that the release of political prisoners may be a strategic move by the Belarusian government to appease international pressure without addressing the underlying issues of human rights violations and political repression.
Overall, the release of 123 prisoners in Belarus, including prominent figures like Ales Bialiatski and Maria Kalesnikava, in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions on Belarusian potash, marks a significant diplomatic exchange between the two nations. The move has sparked hope for improved relations and potential progress towards greater political openness and respect for human rights in Belarus.
Sources:
1. BBC – [Belarus frees 123 prisoners as US lifts sanctions](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpwlkklyxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
2. The Guardian – [Belarus releases 123 prisoners including opposition leaders after US lifts sanctions](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/13/belarus-releases-123-prisoners-including-opposition-leaders-after-us-lifts-sanctions)
3. Al Jazeera – [Belarus frees Nobel Prize winner, opposition figure as US lifts sanctions](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxNR2Z6TkZncEEyZ3hVbGZ0QmJHcVpiQ2Nnc2xrTmh3YkZBZHVPRE5sSDhYOEhpRWRROGNuZG1faXRFd3c4bVBrM2hOcXR4TDNtWDROeGdLY2RjVDRfejBRbm1PT3hGR09nZjJSWWNObzYtbzZSeTc4R2x0SWZSaXJ0VzB3NWxQNzlrT2dpdjBSSWljaGNBeDhVOTNpRVNXWGtKTHRoUkN3OExaUWNZZHp4Q0sxbWJZS3RW0gG-AUFVX3lxTE45T0pUQjdmeUtMcWVYTGFuVk5tOV8yUWVmeDJiYlFuZGhPWGlwU21XSFllRDlQS3ZDTW5IaHJxMTRrT2JYQlNrdXIxUFNyT1FKY2NhZm9LbmxVRTJIWkpEWnFjSlh6eHl0X0ZGZ3VQa3lEc3ZZVDZaZ0R5V1hia3hsVUhSbUVZZmRWbWM0OU0wMGFidmZGekNfWW1BbWF4LU1xQmw3eDh4SFpiNkRfN01yWmJTX05FYUh6MVpmMmc?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en)
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