Belarus has released a total of 123 prisoners, including notable political figures and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, in a significant move tied to a new agreement with the United States. Among those freed is Ales Bialiatski, a prominent human rights activist, alongside fellow opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava. This release was announced on December 13, 2025, and follows a deal that includes the lifting of U.S. sanctions on the Belarusian potash industry.
The Belarusian government stated that the individuals released were previously incarcerated on charges related to “espionage, terrorism, and extremism.” The decision to release these prisoners is seen as a step towards improving diplomatic relations between Belarus and the U.S., particularly under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale confirmed that sanctions against Belaruskali, one of Belarus’s largest state-owned companies, will be lifted as part of this agreement. In his remarks to reporters in Minsk, Coale emphasized that the goal is to normalize relations and hinted that more sanctions could be removed in the future.
Following their release, 114 of the prisoners were transported to Ukraine, while the remaining nine, including Bialiatski, were taken to Lithuania. The Ukrainian government reported that Kalesnikava was seen arriving at the Ukrainian border and reuniting with fellow activists Viktar Babaryka and Maxim Znak. Babaryka had been imprisoned in 2020 while campaigning against current Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Kalesnikava had stepped in as his campaign manager during his incarceration.
In a statement to the press from Lithuania, Bialiatski expressed his relief and optimism about his release, stating, “Being released means meeting with family, meeting with friends, and continuing my work as a human rights defender.”
This development marks a notable shift in Belarusian politics and is likely to have significant implications for the country’s international relations moving forward. The release of high-profile prisoners, particularly those who have taken a stand against Lukashenko’s government, signals a willingness on the part of Belarus to engage more constructively with Western nations.
The agreement and subsequent prisoner release have been welcomed by human rights advocates and the international community, who see it as a positive step towards addressing political repression in Belarus.
As the situation unfolds, observers will be closely watching for further actions from both the Belarusian government and the United States that could shape the future of this complex relationship.
