Belarus Releases 250 Political Prisoners in Exchange For US Sanctions Relief

Good news and a good deal for Belarus that keeps on giving!

Belarus Releases 250 Political Prisoners in Exchange For US Sanctions Relief "Despite the much-publicized US-brokered releases, it is unclear whether Belarusian prisons are getting any emptier. Minsk took nearly 500 new political prisoners in 2025, human rights activists say."

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko meets with US envoy John Coale in Minsk on March 19, 2026.

What Will the Latest U.S-Belarusian Concessions Change? Maybe a lot!

They say old men are often habitually and easily stuck in their ways! Or what about the old dog you can not teach new tricks anymore! 😊

Well, at least Lukashenko (age 71, in office since 1994) recently released a total of more than 150 political prisoners in recent months (see here and here) thanks to President Trump! That is a great success!

If President Trump can persuade Belarus to change allegiance away from Putin the Terrible and more towards Europe that would be phenomenal!

What Will the Latest U.S-Belarusian Concessions Change? | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace "Lukashenko is using the same approach in his dealings with Trump that has long proven successful with Putin."

Source

Belarus releases 123 political prisoners including opposition leaders after US lifts sanctions

Good news! Bravo President Trump!

Maybe the old, long-time dictator of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko (age 71, in office since 1994) is getting wiser and realizes that his too cozy relationship with Putin the Terrible is not benefitting Belarus much longer! Or does he even fear that Belarus will soon be invaded by Putin the Terrible!

"The Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko, has freed 123 prisoners, including Nobel peace prize winner Ales Bialiatski and leading opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava, after the US lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash, a key export.

The announcement came after two days of talks with an envoy of the US president, Donald Trump, the latest diplomatic push since the Trump administration started talks with the autocratic leader. ..."

Belarus releases 123 prisoners including opposition leaders after US lifts sanctions | Belarus | The Guardian

Alexander Lukashenko

Earth's oldest living organisms survive in Europe's last wild forest between Poland and Belarus

Amazing stuff!

Why is Belarus Buddying Up to Trump?

Very recommendable!

US Military Officers Visit Belarus for Russian War Games

Good news! Amazing stuff!

I blogged here last week that Belarus released political prisoners thanks to President Trump.

"In Belarus, the US quietly sent military observers to the Zapad war games with Russia, as ties between the two countries warm."

US Military Officers Visit Belarus for Russian War Games "The surprise visit by US officers is seen as the latest sign of warming ties between Washington and Minsk after a series of high-level visits and gestures of goodwill from both sides."

Freed Belarusian Political Prisoners Describe Their Time in Prison. Free thanks to President Trump

Good news! Bravo!

Belarus Frees 52 Political Prisoners After Talks With US Envoy, the second release of political prisoners this summer

Good news! What is going on in Belarus? 

Is the long time dictator of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (age 71, in office since 1994) having some second thoughts about his close affiliation with Putin the Terrible?

"Belarus has freed 52 political prisoners of different nationalities, the US Embassy in Vilnius said Thursday, in what appeared to be the largest release of detainees in years.

The embassy said those freed were on their way to Lithuania. Belarusian media reported the group included opposition politician Mikalai Statkevich, philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich, and Lithuanian citizen Alena Romanauskienė. ..."

Belarus Frees 52 Political Prisoners After Talks With US Envoy "The move follows a smaller release earlier this summer, when Lukashenko freed 14 detainees after meeting another Trump envoy, Keith Kellogg."

When Lukashenko is abroad and not in company of Putin the Terrible, he is surrounded by the finest dignitaries Iran has to offer! Caution: irony! How often does Lukashenko actually travel abroad (excl. Russia)?

Why Belarus’ Economy is Collapsing

Recommendable!

Freed Belarus opposition figure Sergei Tikhanovsky speaks out after five years of solitary confinement in prison

What a horror story!

The cell was described as three square meters, no bed, a hole in the floor as a toilet and no other prisoners around or anywhere near him. How do you define cruelty?

"Sergei Tikhanovsky was held in solitary confinement in a high security Belarusian prison for five years after he dared to stand up to a dictator.

 

The former opposition blogger is now in enforced exile, freed along with 13 other political prisoners after a senior US delegation paid a rare visit to the authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.

 

He spoke to the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford about how the last five years have been and reuniting with his family."

Nato-Staaten bauen neuen Eisernen Vorhang mit Julian Röpcke

Sehr empfehlenswert! Klasse Berichterstattung!

Belarusian President Lukashenko meets with Trump's envoy Keith Kellogg in Minsk

Is old Lukashenko getting a little wiser and tries to distance himself from the megalomaniac and war criminal Putin the Terrible?

Seventh Term of a Dictator: Lukashenko’s 7th ‘Election’ Unveiled at age 70

Sham elections and a friend of Putin the Terrible! Surreal!

Will he die in office!

What the heck is going on with his little, white dog! Did the dog vote too? 😊

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: Situation in Syria shows dictators are not invincible

Recommendable! Will Putin the Terrible's puppet on string Lukashenko (age 70) be next?

Why Is Belarus Freeing about 110 Political Prisoners or almost 10% of all political prisoners in the last three months?

Good news!

Is the old and long-term dictator Alexander Lukashenko (age 70, in office since 1994) of Belarus distancing himself from Putin the Terrible? They say wisdom comes with age! 😊 Better late than never!

"Belarus has freed about 110 political prisoners in four waves in the last three months. The most recent release was on September 16, when thirty-seven people walked free. Of course, this is a drop in the ocean of political repression in Belarus. Over 1,300 political prisoners remain behind bars, including opposition leaders, journalists, and activists—and new arrests continue.  ..."

Why Is Belarus Freeing Political Prisoners? - Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace "The unusual move is likely a signal to the West that Minsk is uncomfortable about the prospect of permanent dependence on Moscow."

This is the dangerous embrace between Lukashenko and Putin the Terrible

The infamous brotherly kiss of death between Brezhnev and Honecker on the Berlin Wall

Belarus Air Force Reportedly Engages Russian Kamikaze Drone over Belarus territory

The many twists and turns in war times! Did this drone accidentally enter the air space of Belarus as was claimed?

Was this an example of the fine balancing act by President Lukashenko. Belarus shares borders with Russia and Ukraine!

So far it appears that Lukashenko managed to keep Belarus largely out of the Russo-Ukrainian war except for some tokenism and rather minimal support. Maybe one of his greatest achievements.

Belarus Air Force Reportedly Engages Russian Kamikaze Drone "Belarus has likely used its aviation for the first time to shoot down a Russian kamikaze drone that strayed into its territory in the Gomel Region during an overnight Russian attack on Ukraine."

Belarusian Spy-Nude Model Charged With Espionage in Poland

The ever intriguing and enduring mystique of the female spy! Who would not wish to share secrets with her between the sheets? Just kidding!

Belarusian Spy-Nude Model Charged With Espionage in Poland "The suspect, who made a living by selling nude photos online, managed to infiltrate Belarusian opposition groups in Poland and passed on their information to the Belarusian intelligence service."

Belarus-China Forces Practise Seizing an Airport in Belarus

I have already blogged here a few days ago about Chinese soldiers conducting a military exercise in Belarus. I can not stress enough how unusual this is!

"Chinese and Belarusian troops conducted the joint military training exercise, “Attacking Falcon,” in Belarus between Monday and Friday last week, July 15 - 19. The high point of the combined maneuvers, which included a nighttime parachute drop, was an assault on Wednesday to “recapture” an airport that had been taken over by terrorists. ..."

Belarus-China Forces Practise Seizing an Airport in Belarus Belarus hosted a weeklong joint military exercise, “Attacking Falcon,” which culminated in a simulated counter-terrorist operation to capture the airport near the city of Brest.

Belarusian and Chinese paratroopers deploy by helicopter on a training assault on an airfield on July 17. Photo: Belarus defense ministry

Why China is Conducting Military Exercises in Belarus With Palki Sharma

This seems to be highly unusual! Chinese soldiers in Eastern Europe on the border of NATO while NATO is holding a meeting! What!

Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya: No Free Belarus Without a Free Ukraine and Vice Versa

Exactly! Basic domino theory!

"Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader, who is widely believed to have won the presidential election in her country in 2020 that was rigged by dictator and Moscow vassal Aleksander Lukashenko ...

Tsikhanouskaya said that Belarusians remain determined to achieve democracy despite the continuing repression and large number of political prisoners and that she is grateful for the vital support from the democratic world.

Tsikhanouskaya also stressed Belarusians' solidarity with Ukraine in their common fight against Moscow-imposed dictatorship and the desire to be part of democratic Europe."

Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya: No Free Belarus Without a Free Ukraine and Vice Versa