It is a landmark move that has engendered attention of the whole world: on Saturday, the government of Belarus declared that it freed 123 people imprisoned, among them are human rights defender and 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikava, in return for the United States lifting some sanctions on the Belarusian exports.
The comprehensive action makes the political upheaval one of the most major in the recent years in Belarus and is a result of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Minsk and Washington during the tenure of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Department of State
Who Got Released?
One of the 123 people who regained their freedom is:
Ales Bialiatski, a prominent human rights activist, the founder of the Viasna Human Rights Centre, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 while in prison on politically motivated charges.
Maria Kolesnikava, a major opposition figure during the 2020 protest movement, after which she became a resistance icon by her act of bulldozing her passport at the Ukrainian border and declining to leave Belarus.
Other political detainees, ex-presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, journalists, activists, and foreign nationals sentenced for a variety of crimes under Belarusian law.
Most of these ex-prisoners have been flown to such countries as Ukraine and Lithuania, where they are going to be treated medically and will be able to meet their relatives.
Authorities in Belarus agreed to release these individuals after maintaining negotiations in secret for a long time and receiving guarantees from the United States that the restrictions would be eased.
This release is one of the elements of the diplomatic accord that Belarus and the U.S. officials brokered. As a part of a bigger initiative to lessen the discord and revamp the ties between the two countries, the United States promised to remove the restrictions that it imposed on the potash industry of Belarus that is not only the very heart of the country's economy but also a major source of global fertilizer.
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| Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski freed as Belarus releases 123 prisoners amid U.S. sanctions relief. |
Belarus is a state which is still under the control of Alexander Lukashenko whom the critics often characterize as one of the most long-lived European dictators, and he has been in power since 1994. The authorities have been condemned by the Western countries for their clampdown on the opposition, in particular, after the heavily disputed 2020 presidential election that led to protests across the country and human rights violations.
To punish these deeds, the U.S., European Union and other Western allies, among others, have implemented a variety of economic sanctions against Belarus that affect different sectors of the economy such as potash exports and aviation, and have imposed sanctions on senior officials.
Throughout 2025, there have been different times when prisoners were released as part of gradual diplomatic moves, including a previous release in September that saw more than 50 political detainees freed.
Global Reactions
American officials met the news with delight as they saw it as a step further to more open talks. Though the lifting of certain sanctions was partial, removal of restrictions on potash exports is believed to be a source of economic relief for Belarus and could open a path to more talks.
From Belarusian Opposition
The positive reactions of opposition leaders and other civil society groups were mixed with some doubts. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an exiled opposition leader and ally of Kolesnikava, welcomed the move and at the same time called for continued pressure on the regime of Lukashenko as there are still over 1000 political prisoners.
From Human Rights
Organizations that focus on human rights expressed their satisfaction with the release of people like Bialiatski but at the same time pointed out that the situation regarding civic rights in Belarus is still very unstable. Numerous activists demanded an end to the continuation of human rights abuses and extensive reforms.
International Leaders
Leading politicians from Europe and other parts of the world spoke highly of the release of the prisoners as a step in the right direction but emphasized the necessity of permanent structural changes in the Belarusian political system. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed that some of the released individuals were Ukrainian citizens and showed eagerness about future collaborations.
Financial Times
Analysis: What This Means
Diplomatic Implications
This prisoner swap could be interpreted as an initial step towards better relations between Belarus and the Western world, which had been quite chilly for some years. Despite the facts that Belarus is still holding on to Russia pretty tightly — notably in relation to the war in Ukraine — and these events make it appear as if Minsk might potentially be thinking of a different diplomatic route.
th China Morning Post
Human Rights Considerations
Even though the freeing of well-known political prisoners is on the whole applauded, numerous advocates emphasize that it does not settle the systemic issues of the Belarusian judicial and political systems. Observers indicate that there have been reports of political detentions and even stricter limitations in the realm of free expression.
Economic Impact
Relaxing potash sanctions may be quite a game changer for the Belarusian economy and could push export revenues to new heights, while also serving as a signal to the market that the U.S. is willing to engage economically in exchange for political concessions. Nonetheless, analysts are warning that other sanctions are still in place and that the long-term effects of these changes will only be felt if there is consistent progress in diplomacy.
South China Morning Post
The release of 123 prisoners on December 13, among them one of the most internationally known dissidents, Ales Bialiatski, is definitely a turning point in the Belarus political drama. The events highlight the power of well-planned diplomacy, economic leverage, and the unwavering support of both local and foreign actors in bringing such results.
Lapresse.US
Still, a good number of people hold that genuine reform and reconciliation will necessitate fundamental changes in the system, improved human rights, and continued interaction with the international community. The world will be watching closely to see if this new episode in Belarusian politics will bring lasting progress or simply serve as a temporary diplomatic milestone.
International Leaders
Leading politicians from Europe and other parts of the world spoke highly of the release of the prisoners as a step in the right direction but emphasized the necessity of permanent structural changes in the Belarusian political system. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed that some of the released individuals were Ukrainian citizens and showed eagerness about future collaborations.
Financial Times
Diplomatic Implications
This prisoner swap could be interpreted as an initial step towards better relations between Belarus and the Western world, which had been quite chilly for some years. Despite the facts that Belarus is still holding on to Russia pretty tightly — notably in relation to the war in Ukraine — and these events make it appear as if Minsk might potentially be thinking of a different diplomatic route.
South China Morning Post
Human Rights Considerations
Even though the freeing of well-known political prisoners is on the whole applauded, numerous advocates emphasize that it does not settle the systemic issues of the Belarusian judicial and political systems. Observers indicate that there have been reports of political detentions and even stricter limitations in the realm of free expression.
Economic Impact
Relaxing potash sanctions may be quite a game changer for the Belarusian economy and could push export revenues to new heights, while also serving as a signal to the market that the U.S. is willing to engage economically in exchange for political concessions. Nonetheless, analysts are warning that other sanctions are still in place and that the long-term effects of these changes will only be felt if there is consistent progress in diplomacy.
South China Morning Post
Looking Ahead
The release of 123 prisoners on December 13, among them one of the most internationally known dissidents, Ales Bialiatski, is definitely a turning point in the Belarus political drama. The events highlight the power of well-planned diplomacy, economic leverage, and the unwavering support of both local and foreign actors in bringing such results.
Lapresse.US
Still, a good number of people hold that genuine reform and reconciliation will necessitate fundamental changes in the system, improved human rights, and continued interaction with the international community. The world will be watching closely to see if this new episode in Belarusian politics will bring lasting progress or simply serve as a temporary diplomatic milestone.
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