Overview
- Sources say U.S. officials seek a single release of well over 100 detainees, with timing and names still unresolved.
- Negotiations are tied to possible sanctions relief, including informal discussion of easing curbs on the potash sector.
- The Treasury has begun lifting some Belarus-related measures, and reports indicate U.S. restrictions on Belavia were eased this fall.
- John Coale, appointed this month as special envoy, is central to the talks and has pushed to reopen the U.S. embassy in Minsk.
- The White House declined comment as rights groups count more than 1,000 political detainees and the EU has recently tightened sanctions on Minsk.