Belarus frees 123 political prisoners as U.S. lifts potash sanctions

Belarus has released 123 political prisoners after the United States agreed to lift sanctions on the country’s potash fertilizer industry, marking a significant shift in relations between Washington and Minsk.

The release was confirmed on Saturday following an agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Among those freed are Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and prominent opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova, according to international media reports.

U.S. Special Envoy John Coale said the decision to ease sanctions was made in line with President Trump’s directive. Speaking to Belarus’ state news agency, Belta, Coale described the move as a positive step for bilateral relations and confirmed that U.S. restrictions on potash exports were being lifted with immediate effect.

Belarus has been under U.S. and Western sanctions since 2021 over allegations of authoritarian rule and widespread political repression. Penalties were further tightened in 2022 after Lukashenko allowed Russian forces to use Belarusian territory to launch their invasion of Ukraine.

In a bid to ease international pressure, the Belarusian government began releasing detained critics and activists in 2024. With Saturday’s development, more than 430 political prisoners have been freed since July last year.

While the United States has lifted its potash-related sanctions, European Union restrictions remain in place. Coale said Washington remains in ongoing talks with Belarus and suggested that further sanctions relief could follow if relations continue to improve.

“As relations between the two countries normalize, more sanctions will be lifted,” he said.