Belarus released 250 prisoners as part of a US-brokered deal

235 of the political prisoners will remain inside the country, 5 have been sent to Lithuania.

Washington, for its part, has agreed to ease sanctions on Belarus’ financial sector, including Belinvestbank, and to lift US restrictions on potash from a number of Belarusian fertilizer producers: Belaruskali, Belarusian Potash Company and Agroroskvit.

The deal was concluded during the visit of US envoy John Cole to Belarus, where he met with President Alexander Lukashenko. Before the negotiations, the American diplomat said that the president of Belarus, which has been under Western sanctions for decades, can visit the White House. Washington and Minsk are discussing the possible visit of President Alexander Lukashenko.

Since taking office last year, President Trump has eased sanctions against Belarus, inviting Minsk to the “Peace Council” created by his initiative.