Belarus agreed to release 25 political prisoners: what will it get from the US in return?

Belarus agreed to release 25 political prisoners following negotiations with the United States on September 16. In return, Washington will lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies.

This is reported by DW in Belarus, citing a statement by US President’s special envoy John Cole.

This concerns the lifting of American sanctions on the companies “Lakokraska” and “Bellesbumprom” .

Cole also reported that the US and Belarus have reached an interim agreement. The parties will continue negotiations on the issues that remain unresolved.

“When all issues are resolved and agreed upon by both sides, additional releases of individuals and lifting of sanctions against Belarusian companies will occur,” the US special envoy said.

According to the Viasna Human Rights Center, on the evening of September 15, relatives of some prisoners were informed that they would be able to pick up their loved ones from the correctional colonies the next morning.

Recall, the day before, Alexander Lukashenko met with US President’s special envoy John Cole . During the talks, they discussed political prisoners, sanctions, relations between Minsk and Washington, and about $44 million in Belarusian funds blocked in Citibank.

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