Belarus to release 25 prisoners / U.S. to lift sanctions imposed on two companies

Belarus has agreed to release 25 prisoners in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions imposed on two companies, John Coale, an envoy of President Donald Trump, announced in Minsk on Wednesday. The interim agreement is part of negotiations in which Washington is seeking the release of more political prisoners and a reduction in the international isolation of the regime led by Alexander Lukashenko.

The companies concerned are Lakokraska, a producer of industrial paints and varnishes, and Bellesbumprom, a state-owned concern coordinating the forestry, pulp and paper sectors. The sanctions against them date back to 2008 and 2023, respectively.

The number of prisoners included in the new agreement is much lower than the number secured in March, when Coale negotiated the release of 250 people. The U.S. envoy said the talks would continue to resolve the remaining issues and discuss a possible new round of releases.

The Viasna organization says Belarus still holds more than 900 political prisoners. Meanwhile, the opposition says repression continues despite the releases, and that Lukashenko continues to support Russia's war against Ukraine.