Lukashenko Frees Nobel Laureate in Historic Prisoner Swap With U.S.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released 123 prisoners, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, after talks with a U.S. envoy. In exchange, the U.S. agreed to lift potash sanctions. This marks a significant diplomatic move with implications on Belarus's global standing and relationships with the U.S. and Russia.

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has released 123 prisoners, among them Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and prominent opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava. This development follows two days of intensive negotiations with an envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump. As part of the agreement, the U.S. has committed to lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash, a critical component in fertilizers and a major export for the nation.

The prisoner release is the largest enacted by Lukashenko since the Trump administration initiated discussions earlier this year with the long-standing authoritarian leader, often criticized by Western governments for his domestic policies and alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bialiatski, who has been advocating for human rights in Belarus for years before being imprisoned in July 2021, expressed gratitude for his freedom but emphasized that the struggle for human rights in Belarus continues.

Efforts by the U.S. to engage with Lukashenko aim to reduce his dependency on Moscow. This diplomatic maneuver, although eyed cautiously by the Belarusian opposition, signifies a move towards influencing Lukashenko's international affiliations. Trump, who is characterized Lukashenko as a "highly respected president", has extended support for further dialogues that could lead to substantial shifts in Belarus's governmental landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)