Belarus has released 52 prisoners following mediation by the United States, which has promised to grant Minsk sanctions relief.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on Thursday that the prisoners, along with the U.S. delegation, had crossed into Lithuania.
U.S. President Donald Trump had called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, to release detainees whom the U.S. leader has described as “hostages.” Belarus later confirmed their release.
It was the biggest batch of prisoners yet pardoned by Lukashenko, who is seeking to repair relations with the United States after years of isolation and sanctions on his former Soviet state.
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