Belarus has released 25 political prisoners in exchange for the US lifting sanctions put on two Belarusian companies, in a deal was brokered by US envoy John Coale who was in the capital Minsk. Photo: John Coale

Coale announced the release of prisoners, describing it as "As a sign of goodwill", in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. He indicated further talks could lead to "a further release of individuals and additional sanctions relief".

The US and many other Western countries imposed sanctions on Belarus after it allowed Russia to use its territory to invade Ukraine in 2022. Washington has now eased some sanctions which affected paint manufacturer Lakokraska and forestry sector group Bellesbumprom.

Coale announced the deal on his social media account, thanking President Donald Trump for his "commitment to direct diplomacy".

Opposition leader in exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya celebrated the release of the prisoners in a post on X, but warned that "it is clear that Lukashenka does not want to release all political prisoners."

Hundreds of people were imprisoned after mass protests in 2020 sparked by the re-election of President Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who's been in power since 1994.

There are still hundreds of political prisoners in Belarus as a result of backing protests. The independent Viasna rights group, says there are currently 912 behind bars.

Rights groups and activists warn that while the regime has released some, it is also arresting and imprisoning others. Just last week a lawyer representing opposition figure Viktor Babaryko was jailed for three years.

The dialogue between Washington and Minsk restarted under the Trump administration last year, as part of efforts to broker a deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine.