Belarus agreed to free 25 prisoners after talks between Alexander Lukashenko and US envoy John Coale. The move signals limited thawing in US-Belarus ties, though repression and sanctions disputes remain.

Belarus will release 25 more prisoners under an interim agreement with the United States, while Washington plans to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies and pursue broader negotiations.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko used talks with the US envoy to seek wider sanctions relief and access to blocked assets. The outreach follows prisoner release deals but comes amid renewed scrutiny of Belarus's continuing repression.