Belarus Under Pressure from the U
S. Releases Another 13 Political Prisoners: A Step Toward Dialogue Amid tense diplomatic relations between Belarus and the United States, on the day of the planned visit of U.S. Special Representative Keith Kellogg to Minsk, the Belarusian regime governed by Alexander Lukashenko took an important step: the release of an additional 14 political prisoners, including well-known opposition figure Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya. This sends a significant signal, justifying diplomatic outreach efforts and potential attempts to improve relations between the two countries. According to human rights organizations, notably "Viasna," among those released are not only Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya — wife of Sergei Tikhanovsky and a key figure in Belarusian opposition — but also five other political detainees. The list includes Natalya Dulina, Ihor Korney, Halina Krasnyanskaya, renowned Japanese-Belarusian activist Akihiro Gayeu-Hanada, and Kyrylo Balakhonov. Undoubtedly, this represents an important step toward easing internal political tensions and demonstrating a possible political dialogue. Sources close to "European Pravda," citing Belarusian publication "Nasha Niva," report that this release occurred immediately before Keith Kellogg’s visit to Minsk — the U.S. White House’s special envoy to President Donald Trump. American diplomats emphasize that it was a symbolic gesture aimed at potentially improving relations with the Belarusian regime, which has long been subject to international criticism for its cold relations and repression. Kellogg’s deputy press secretary, John Coul, noted in his comment: "The strong leadership of President Trump’s administration contributed to today’s release of 14 political prisoners from Belarusian jails. I would like to thank the Lithuanian government for their active cooperation and support — they remain reliable allies and friends to us in this process." An important element of this gesture was Lithuania’s support, which has long advocated on the international stage for increased pressure on the Belarusian government over human rights issues. According to "Viasna," the released individuals are now already on their way to Lithuania. They have been transported there by specialists from the international humanitarian and human rights community. This undoubtedly marks a new chapter in cooperation between the U.S., Lithuania, and the Belarusian opposition. What led up to this decisive move, and is it a sign of gradual easing of the authoritarian regime in Belarus? Evidence of this can be seen in the visit to Minsk on June 21 by Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, who met with Belarus's self-proclaimed President Alexander Lukashenko. According to information provided by diplomats, the U.S. administration has long been discussing strategies to reduce Belarus’s dependence on Russia and bring its policies closer to Western values and standards, albeit with potential residual difficulties and obstacles. Overall, this indicates a significant shift in diplomatic approaches and possibly opens new opportunities for dialogue. It is clear that Washington aims not only to punish Lukashenko’s regime for its repressions but also to create conditions for a more open political situation in the country, engaging European partners in the process. After the crises of winter and spring in Belarusian society and politics, the release of political prisoners stands as one of the first unexpected signals of a possible policy change by the regime. At the same time, the masks have come off — this step indicates external pressure and the regime’s un readiness to fully lose control, but also suggests some diplomatic concessions. Delving into the context, one can assume that U.S. leaders and their European allies seek to leverage this situation to increase their influence in the region, encouraging Belarus to gradually shift away from Russian political and economic grip. For the current regime, this restrained concession could be a first step toward more comprehensive dialogue, but also a potential trigger for further foreign policy and internal compromises. Thus, today’s events can be seen as part of a broader sequence of diplomatic and internal steps that might be part of a long-term strategy to transform Belarus’s political landscape. Of course, official or publicly visible projects related to this are yet to be realized, but one thing is clear: a new phase has begun — possibly — in relations between Minsk and Washington, with profound consequences that could significantly alter the country’s political landscape.