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Exclusive-U.S. envoy says Belarus may free more prisoners in next month

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 28, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 28, 2026

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Exclusive-U.S. envoy says Belarus may free more prisoners in next month
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US Special Envoy Expects Belarus to Release More Prisoners Within a Month

US Diplomatic Efforts and Potential Sanctions Relief

Special Envoy John Coale's Statement on Prisoner Release

WARSAW, April 28 (Reuters) - U.S. Special Envoy John Coale said on Tuesday he expects to secure the release of more prisoners from Belarus in the next month, adding that the lifting of further sanctions on Minsk was always a possibility if this happens.

Timeline for Expected Prisoner Releases

"I expect that we can get some prisoners released in the next month," he told Reuters by telephone. "And I'll be going back to facilitate that in the next month. Nothing definite, but probably the next month."

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Key Takeaways

  • Since late 2025, more than 430 political prisoners have been released from Belarus through U.S.‑brokered deals, marking a thaw in bilateral ties.
  • In March 2026, Belarus freed 250 political prisoners in exchange for U.S. lifting sanctions on state banks, the Finance Ministry, and potash producers.
  • The ongoing releases reflect Minsk’s strategy of leveraging political detainees to negotiate easing of sanctions and normalization with the West.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is negotiating the release of Belarusian prisoners?
U.S. Special Envoy John Coale is negotiating the release of prisoners from Belarus.
When are more prisoners expected to be released from Belarus?
John Coale expects that more Belarusian prisoners could be released within the next month.
Is the lifting of sanctions on Belarus possible?
Lifting further sanctions on Minsk is possible if additional prisoners are released.
Will John Coale return to Belarus for further negotiations?
Yes, John Coale stated he will return next month to facilitate further prisoner releases.

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