Belarus frees Nobel laureate Bialiatski and Maria Kolesnikova; U.S. lifts potash sanctions after talks
Belarus pardoned 123 prisoners — including Nobel Peace laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, as well as figures like Viktar Babaryka, Viasna activists Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladzimir Labkovich, and Maxim Znak — a group that reportedly included a U.S. citizen, six citizens of allied countries and five Ukrainians. The releases followed two days of talks in Minsk after which U.S. special envoy John Coale said Washington would lift sanctions on Belarus’s potash sector; Bialiatski, freed after 1,613 days in prison, appeared pale and emaciated and said he would continue to advocate for remaining prisoners.
📌 Key Facts
- Belarus pardoned and freed 123 prisoners, including Nobel Peace laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, according to rights group Viasna.
- Other prominent releases included Viktar Babaryka, Viasna advocates Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladzimir Labkovich, and opposition figure Maxim Znak.
- Among the 123 freed were one U.S. citizen, six citizens of U.S. allied countries, and five Ukrainians, a U.S. official said.
- U.S. special envoy John Coale said after two days of talks with President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk that U.S. sanctions on Belarus’s potash sector were being lifted; Coale described the talks as "very productive," said "We're lifting sanctions, releasing prisoners," and that relations were moving from "baby steps to more confident steps."
- ABC cited a U.S. official saying U.S. engagement since 2024 led to the release of more than 200 political prisoners overall, including six U.S. citizens and more than 60 citizens of allied countries (contextual claim beyond the 123 pardoned).
- Ales Bialiatski was released after 1,613 days in prison and said he would continue advocacy and be a "voice" for remaining prisoners.
- Post-release footage showed Bialiatski appearing pale and emaciated.
📊 Relevant Data
Belarus's potash exports amounted to over $1.3 billion in 2023, representing a key source of revenue amid sanctions.
Belarusian exports growth: behind the scenes of the foreign trade statistics — InvestigateBel
Approximately 30,000–35,000 Russian troops massed inside Belarus in January and February 2022 in the run-up to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Not So Quiet on the Eastern Front: Elements of a Risk Management Strategy for the Russia-Belarus Union State — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Over half a million people have fled Belarus since 2020, contributing to a demographic crisis and brain drain.
Over half a million people have fled Belarus since 2020 — TVP World
As of December 2025, 1,227 political prisoners remain in jail in Belarus after the recent releases.
Belarus releases 123 prisoners including opposition leaders after US lifts sanctions — The Guardian
📰 Sources (3)
- Among the 123 freed were a U.S. citizen, six citizens of U.S. allied countries, and five Ukrainians, per a U.S. official.
- U.S. official says Trump’s engagement led to the release of over 200 political prisoners since 2024, including six U.S. citizens and 60+ citizens of allied countries.
- Direct quotes from U.S. envoy John Coale describing talks as 'very productive' and relations moving from 'baby steps to more confident steps.'
- Bialiatski’s personal account: released after 1,613 days in prison; vowed to continue advocacy and be a 'voice' for remaining prisoners.
- Visual/condition detail that Bialiatski appeared pale and emaciated in post-release footage.
- Belarus pardoned 123 prisoners, including Nobel Peace laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, according to rights group Viasna.
- U.S. sanctions on Belarus’s potash sector were lifted on Saturday, special envoy John Coale said after two days of talks with Lukashenko in Minsk.
- Additional prominent releases include Viktar Babaryka, Viasna advocates Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladzimir Labkovich, and opposition figure Maxim Znak.
- Coale was quoted by Belta saying, “We’re lifting sanctions, releasing prisoners,” describing the talks as “very productive.”