In the afternoon it became known that Alexander Lukashenko, who considers himself the president of Belarus, pardoned 123 “citizens of various countries” as part of “agreements reached” with US President Donald Trump and “at his request.” In particular, 109 citizens of Belarus arrived in Ukraine, convicted in politically motivated cases after the 2020 presidential elections and the protests that followed, they told in the “I Want to Live” project.
Among those released who came to Ukraine is one of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition, Maria Kolesnikova, and Lukashenko’s former rival in the 2020 elections, Viktor Babariko.
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“They are currently safe on the territory of Ukraine,” they said in “I Want to Live.” “All of them, as free people, of their own free will, will be able to either stay in Ukraine or be moved in the shortest possible time to Poland, Lithuania or other European countries, where many have their families and loved ones living.”
Separately, the draft emphasized that we are not talking about the exchange of Russians and Belarusians for prisoners of war, as stated by Speaker Lukashenko.
“The Russian side does not comply with the Istanbul agreements regarding the priority return of wounded and sick prisoners of war, and therefore they continue to be in Ukraine. In addition, Russia does not show any interest in the return from captivity of foreign citizens who fought on its side and were captured,” emphasized “I Want to Live.”
Context
Reuters wrote on November 26 that the United States is negotiating with Belarus on the largest mass release of political prisoners.
Lukashenko decided to “pardon” 123 people against the backdrop of negotiations in Minsk with the US special envoy to Belarus John Cole on December 12 and 13. Most of their meetings took place behind closed doors.
The leader of the Belarusian opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said that the political prisoners released in Belarus on December 13 were expected in Lithuania, but Lukashenko “replayed everything at the last moment” and they were sent to Ukraine.
