US Lifts Sanctions on Belarus Airline After Prisoner Release, Plans Embassy Reopening

The United States, under President Donald Trump's directive, has lifted sanctions on Belarus' national airline Belavia as a step toward normalizing relations with Belarus. This decision, confirmed by U.S. Presidential Envoy John Coale and approved by the State, Commerce, and Treasury Departments, follows Belarus' release of 52 political prisoners, which the U.S. described as a move of "constructive engagement." The sanctions on Belavia, initially imposed due to Belarus' alleged complicity in election fraud and the Ukraine conflict, had restricted the airline's ability to service and purchase components for its fleet. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko praised Trump's peacemaking efforts and expressed interest in increased economic cooperation with the U.S., highlighting Belarus' potential to assist with U.S. interests in Russia. The prisoner release included nationals from several countries and was noted by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, who emphasized ongoing efforts to free more political detainees. The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius and various international observers view these developments as the beginning of a broader diplomatic thaw between the two countries.