TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has made a significant diplomatic move by pardoning 31 Ukrainians who were imprisoned in Belarus for various criminal offenses. This decision, reported on Saturday, marks the latest effort by Minsk to improve its relations with the West amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The release of these individuals was described as "a gesture of goodwill" and is associated with agreements stemming from discussions between Lukashenko and former U.S. President Donald Trump, which occurred at the request of Ukraine. The Belarusian state news agency, Belta, highlighted that those pardoned were subsequently handed over to officials in Kyiv.
This gesture follows another notable pardon earlier in the week when Lukashenko released two Catholic priests from prison, responding to a request from the Vatican. These actions are seen as part of a broader strategy by Belarus to re-establish ties with Western nations after a prolonged period of isolation, largely due to its close association with Russia and its controversial domestic policies.
Belarus has been a critical ally to Russia, providing support for military operations against Ukraine, including the use of its territory for sending troops and equipment. Belarus has also been a neutral ground for prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kyiv, a role that highlights its geopolitical significance in the current conflict.
Since assuming power over 30 years ago, Lukashenko has maintained an authoritarian grip on the country. However, recent developments suggest a shift in his approach as he attempts to mend relations with the West. Following a phone conversation with Trump in August, Lukashenko pardoned 51 political prisoners under a U.S.-mediated agreement, which also resulted in a partial lifting of sanctions on Belarus's national airline, Belavia.
In a bid to further improve diplomatic ties, Trump announced the appointment of lawyer John Cole as the U.S. Special Envoy to Belarus to assist in the release of additional prisoners. The political landscape in Belarus remains complex, with human rights organizations like Viasna reporting approximately 1,257 political prisoners currently incarcerated, including Ales Bialiatski, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of the center.
According to Belarusian officials, further discussions are anticipated between Minsk and Washington in December. Lukashenko's press service released a statement on Saturday emphasizing that "Belarus is open to dialogue," indicating active negotiations are underway with various countries, primarily the United States.
Political analysts, such as Valery Karbalevich, have observed that Minsk is trying to navigate a precarious position between its alliance with Moscow and its aspirations to engage with the West. Karbalevich suggests that Lukashenko aims to lessen his dependence on Russian support, strategically using the release of political prisoners as leverage in negotiations for the easing of Western sanctions, which have had a profound impact on the Belarusian economy compared to U.S. sanctions.
In summary, the recent pardons by Lukashenko reflect a broader attempt to recalibrate Belarus's foreign relations, seeking a balance between its traditional ties with Russia and a revived engagement with Western powers. The impending talks with the U.S. may lay the groundwork for a thaw in diplomatic relations that could have lasting implications for Belarus and its political landscape.
