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Tsikhanouskaya: Lukashenko Uses Political Prisoners as Bargaining Chips

12/10/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, exiled Belarus opposition leader, accused President Alexander Lukashenko of using political prisoners as bargaining chips during her speech in Oslo.
She urged the U.S. to balance incentives and pressure in negotiations for the release of approximately 1,300 prisoners, whom President Trump referred to as "hostages."
Tsikhanouskaya highlighted that while some prisoners have been released, many remain detained and called for liberation from both Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She also honored jailed activist Ales Bialiatski at the event.

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Story summary

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, exiled Belarus opposition leader, accused President Alexander Lukashenko of using political prisoners as bargaining chips during her speech in Oslo.
She urged the U.S. to balance incentives and pressure in negotiations for the release of approximately 1,300 prisoners, whom President Trump referred to as "hostages."
Tsikhanouskaya highlighted that while some prisoners have been released, many remain detained and called for liberation from both Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
She also honored jailed activist Ales Bialiatski at the event.