Overview

• A U.S. delegation led by presidential envoy John Coale negotiated in Minsk and escorted the freed detainees toward Lithuania, with President Gitanas Nausėda confirming 52 people crossed the border.
• Washington announced limited sanctions relief for Belavia allowing maintenance and parts for its existing Boeing fleet, and Coale said the U.S. signaled interest in reopening its embassy in Minsk.
• Belarus said 14 foreign nationals were among those released, while EU leaders confirmed an employee of the bloc’s delegation was freed and rights groups reported journalist Ihar Losik is out of prison.
• Veteran dissident Mikola Statkevich was reported among those freed but refused to enter Lithuania, with border officials saying he did not cross and appeared to return to Belarus.
• Rights groups and exiled opposition welcomed the releases yet stressed that more than 1,000 political prisoners remain and warned against easing pressure without systemic reforms.