European Union Diplomat Released as Part of Broader Efforts to Ease Political Repression and Rebuild Ties with the West
As part of a large-scale agreement brokered with the United States and supported by the European Union, the Belarusian authorities have taken a significant step toward reducing political repression and restoring diplomatic relations with Western countries.
Among those released was a European Union diplomatic staff member in Minsk, Mikołaj Hilo, who was sentenced in January to four years in prison under fabricated charges.
Human rights organization ‘Viasna,’ based in Belgium and monitoring his case, reported that his arrest was linked to criticism of the Lukashenko regime, specifically accusations of insulting the dictator.
The release of Hilo has become a symbolic gesture and a sign of willingness from both sides to make concessions.
According to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Hilo has already arrived at the representation in Vilnius, and the US expressed intentions to normalize relations, including lifting sanctions against Belarusian airline Belavia.
This move is widely seen by Ukrainian and international analysts as the beginning of a new chapter in Europe, US, and Belarus relations, potentially improving human rights and political freedoms.
However, around 1,153 political prisoners still remain in Belarus, underscoring the ongoing complexity of the situation and the need for further steps toward dialogue and reforms.