“The United States is lifting sanctions on potash,” Coale told journalists in Minsk. “I think this is a very good step by the U.S. toward Belarus. We are lifting them now,” he said in remarks reported by state-run Belarusian news service Belta.
“As relations between the two countries normalize, more and more sanctions will be lifted,” Coale added.
“The latest release of 123 individuals, including one U.S. citizen, six citizens of U.S. Allies, and five Ukrainian citizens, is a significant milestone in U.S.-Belarus engagement,” a U.S. official said. “The United States stands ready for additional engagement with Belarus that advances U.S. interests and will continue to pursue diplomatic efforts to free remaining political prisoners in Belarus.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Washington for its endeavors to secure the release of the prisoners. “Thanks to the active role of the United States and the cooperation of our intelligence agencies, around one hundred people are regaining their freedom now, including five Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said in a post on social media.
Kolesnikova was sentenced four years ago to an 11-year prison term after being convicted of attempting to seize power illegally.
Coale had already helped facilitate the release of more than 50 political prisoners from Belarus this year, and he has a mandate from Trump to secure the release of more. According to human rights group Viasna, there are still more than 1,000 political prisoners in the country.