US Lifts Sanctions on Belarus Firms for Release of 25 Prisoners

Belarusian authorities have agreed to release 25 prisoners in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions against two Belarusian firms.

John Coale, President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, announced the interim deal on Wednesday, September 16, after conferring with President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. Coale stated on X that "25 prisoners are free today!" and credited "President Trump’s commitment to direct diplomacy" for the outcome. He also thanked Lukashenko and Lithuanian officials for their roles.

Under the agreement, Washington will remove sanctions on Lakokraska, a paint manufacturer, and Bellesbumprom, a forestry sector group. These sanctions had been in place since 2008 and 2023, respectively. Coale indicated that further prisoner releases and sanctions relief are expected as details are finalized, and he plans to visit Belarus again in about a month, hoping to secure the release of hundreds more prisoners.

Official Belarusian sources have not yet provided specifics on the release. Lukashenko has maintained control over Belarus for over 30 years, and Western nations have repeatedly sanctioned his regime for human rights abuses and for allowing Russia to use Belarusian territory for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Since Trump's return to the White House, hundreds of political prisoners have been freed under US-mediated agreements that eased certain sanctions.

Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the release as an important step, but only a step, noting the vast number of citizens who remain captive. The independent Viasna rights group, banned in Belarus, reports 912 political prisoners are still held. During Tuesday's talks, Lukashenko denied the existence of political prisoners and rejected Viasna's claims. Coale also announced the release of tens of millions of dollars in frozen Belarusian assets held in US banks, including approximately $43-44 million Lukashenko said was stuck in Citibank.