Belarus Releases 25 Prisoners Amid US Sanction Negotiations
WHO:
ABC News - John Coale thanked Lukashenko and authorities in Lithuania for their support during negotiations.
ABC News - John Coale, President Trump's special envoy for Belarus
ABC News - Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus
ABC News - Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile
ABC News - Viasna human rights center
WHAT:
ABC News - Coale stated, “We will continue to improve U.S.-Belarus relations and are working to secure the release of more people in the very near future.”
ABC News - Belarus has agreed to release 25 prisoners as part of a deal involving the lifting of U.S. sanctions against some Belarusian companies.
ABC News - Coale stated, “25 prisoners are free today!” and emphasized that “President Trump’s commitment to direct diplomacy delivers results.”
ABC News - The U.S. will lift sanctions imposed on two Belarusian companies.
ABC News - Belarus still has 887 political prisoners, according to the Viasna human rights center.
WHERE:
ABC News - The meeting took place in Tallinn, Estonia.
ABC News - Belarus, a country with a population of 9.5 million.
WHEN:
ABC News - The prisoner release was announced following a meeting on a Wednesday.
ABC News - A deal in March resulted in the release of 250 political prisoners.
ABC News - In April, prominent journalist Andrzej Poczobut was released in a swap with Poland.
WHY:
ABC News - Lukashenko expressed openness to discussing “a deal big or small” regarding the lifting of more U.S. sanctions and exporting Belarusian fertilizers to the U.S.
ABC News - The negotiations aim to improve U.S.-Belarus relations and secure the release of more prisoners.
ABC News - Lukashenko is seeking to lift remaining U.S. sanctions and discuss exporting Belarusian fertilizers to the U.S.
HOW:
ABC News - The U.S. will lift sanctions imposed on two Belarusian companies as part of the agreement.
ABC News - The release of prisoners is part of U.S.-mediated deals that also involve lifting sanctions.
(UPDATED September 16, 2026 16:02 UTC)
John Coale expressed gratitude to Belarusian leader Lukashenko and Lithuanian authorities for their support during negotiations, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing U.S.-Belarus relations. He stated that efforts are underway to secure the release of more individuals in the very near future, while Lukashenko showed willingness to discuss potential deals related to lifting U.S. sanctions and exporting Belarusian fertilizers to the U.S. As part of this agreement, the U.S. plans to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:07 UTC)
In a significant development, Belarus has agreed to release 25 prisoners as part of a deal that includes lifting U.S. sanctions on two Belarusian companies, as announced by John Coale, President Trump's special envoy for Belarus, during a meeting in Tallinn, Estonia. Coale celebrated the news, stating, “25 prisoners are free today!” while also highlighting that President Trump’s commitment to direct diplomacy is yielding results, although the Viasna human rights center reports that Belarus still holds 887 political prisoners. The ongoing negotiations aim to improve U.S.-Belarus relations, with President Alexander Lukashenko seeking to lift remaining sanctions and discuss the export of Belarusian fertilizers to the U.S.