Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is preparing a “major deal” with Donald Trump, potentially trading mineral deposits for the release of political prisoners.
Lukashenko Releases Record Number of Political Prisoners
Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned a record 250 political prisoners, though Andrzej Poczobut remains imprisoned. Most other prominent opposition figures and independent activists have been released.
Lukashenko stated on Friday that the release of prisoners is part of preparations for a “major agreement” with the United States. For the first time, most of those pardoned have been allowed to remain in Belarus.
Exceptions to Pardons and Continued Control
Fifteen individuals, including Belsat journalist Katsiaryna Andreava, and human rights defenders Nastya Loika, Marfa Rabkova, and Valentin Stefanovich, were deported to Lithuania or Ukraine. Analysts like Valerya Kastsiuhova, specializing in Belarusian-Russian relations, were permitted to stay but will be under strict surveillance.
Lukashenko “Fishing” for New Prisoners
The amnesty coincided with a visit from Donald Trump’s envoy, John Coale. Coale previously secured the release of potential 2020 presidential candidates Viktor Babaryka, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, and Pavel Seviarynets, Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, and Maryia Kalesnikava, all of whom were forced into exile.
Only Mikhal Statkevich, who refused to cross the Lithuanian border, returned to prison after suffering a stroke and was subsequently released. Ihar Ilyash, Andreava’s husband, and Eduard Babaryka, Viktor’s son, remain incarcerated.
New Arrests Offset Releases, U.S. Concerns Grow
Despite the pardons, the overall number of political prisoners has remained unchanged due to new arrests. A case involving booksellers, with accusations of extremist affiliation, is ongoing. Coale expressed concern over the pattern of releases followed by new detentions: “We release 10 people, and they arrest another 10?”
Coale noted that the released prisoners were asked to “go home and behave quietly.” He believes all political prisoners will be released by the end of the year, as he told his wife on Newsmax.
Trump May Acquire Belarusian Potash Deposits
Lukashenko revealed that further amnesties are linked to negotiations for a “major deal” with Trump. Following Coale’s visit, the White House lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash, a key component in fertilizer production.
Belarus, alongside Canada and Russia, is a major potash producer. Minsk aims to attract American investment, with Lukashenko previously mentioning the potential sale of a deposit for $3 billion.
Lukashenko Praises Trump’s Directness
“They are considering it. $3 billion is the minimum, and it could be more expensive if the government recalculates the reserves,” Lukashenko stated. He praised Trump’s directness: “He says what he thinks. I like this approach.”
Lukashenko added, “You have now understood a lot. And American democracy, and what it is built on. As it turns out, on oil, gas and dollars. It has always been like this, but no one has said it as openly as Trump.” He confirmed that American negotiators, in the third or fourth round of talks, proposed a “major agreement” covering various issues, to which he agreed.
