Diplomatic Breakthrough: Lukashenko Frees Prisoners in U.S.-Negotiated Exchange

In a significant diplomatic agreement, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released 123 prisoners, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions on potash. This marks the largest release under recent U.S.-Belarus negotiations, with the potential for further releases in the near future.

In a landmark diplomatic development, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko has released 123 prisoners, among them Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and key opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava, in an agreement orchestrated with the United States.

The deal sees the U.S. lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash, a vital component in fertilizers, highlighting the strategic importance of the former Soviet state's resources. This step is part of broader negotiations spearheaded by U.S. envoy John Coale to address political dissent in Belarus.

This exchange signifies the most substantial prisoner release since negotiations began under former President Donald Trump's administration, aiming to ease Lukashenko's ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which have been a source of international tension.

(With inputs from agencies.)