US talks with Belarus on release of over 100 political prisoners — Reuters
Photo: The US and Belarus are negotiating the release of more than 100 political prisoners (Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump is negotiating with the Belarusian regime on the possible release of a large number of prisoners in the near future, Reuters reports.
Prisoners release talks
According to the agency's sources, US officials are seeking to agree on the release of over 100 prisoners as part of a single deal.
It is not yet known who exactly will be released and when. The White House declined to comment on the matter, and the Belarusian Embassy in the US did not respond to journalists' inquiries.
US geopolitical goal
"The Trump administration's push for the biggest prisoner release so far is part of its controversial campaign to thaw relations with the authoritarian state in exchange for the prospect of sanctions relief," Reuters writes.
Some US officials see this as part of a broader strategy to gradually distance Minsk from Moscow's influence. Even the slightest movement by Belarus toward the West is seen in Washington as a potential strategic victory.
Some US officials told the agency that the Trump administration's engagement with Belarus is part of a longer-term, broader strategy to pull Minsk out of Moscow's geopolitical orbit, at least slightly.
After all, even the slightest movement by Belarus toward the West is seen in Washington as a potential strategic victory.
Key negotiators
Special Envoy John Coale, appointed by Trump earlier this month, is considered a key figure in the negotiations on the US side. Recently, Trump himself and his representatives have had direct contact with Lukashenko, and the US Treasury Department has begun to partially lift certain sanctions against Belarus.
The State Department praised Trump's leadership and Coale's efforts, but did not comment on any future prisoner releases.
"The United States stands ready for additional engagement with Belarus that advances U.S. interests and will continue efforts to free political prisoners in Belarus," the State Department spokesperson says.
Political prisoners release in Belarus
Minsk has released people several times since Trump came to power.
In particular, on June 21, self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released 14 political prisoners. The pardon came after a visit to Minsk by US President Donald Trump's special representative, Keith Kellogg.
In September, the Belarusian authorities released 52 people, which was the largest release at that time.
