Story perspectives
US Lifts Sanctions on Belavia for Political Prisoner Release
9/26/2025
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Story summary
- The United States lifted sanctions on Belavia in exchange for 52 political prisoners’ release, with 1,300 remaining.
- The removal lets Belavia source aircraft parts from the United States, potentially aiding sanctioned Russian airlines.
- United States envoy John Coale announced the deal to Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko.
- Experts say the United States could've secured more prisoner releases and overestimated Lukashenko's leverage.
