Belarus pardons 31 Ukrainians under Lukashenko–Trump agreement
Belarus has pardoned 31 Ukrainian nationals under a diplomatic arrangement reached between President Alexander Lukashenko and U.S. President Donald Trump, state television reported on Saturday, November 22.
Presidential spokeswoman Natalia Eismont said the individuals whose identities were not disclosed had been convicted of various offences in Belarus. Their release, she explained, followed a request from Ukraine and formed part of broader negotiations aimed at easing tensions linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
“The president has pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens who committed criminal offences on our territory,” Eismont stated, adding that the decision was based on “agreements reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Alexander Lukashenko.” She said the move was intended to help “create conditions for resolving the armed conflict in the neighbouring state.”
The pardoned Ukrainians were being handed over to Kyiv “right now,” according to the spokeswoman.
As part of the wider diplomatic arrangement, Washington has partially lifted sanctions on Belarus’s state airline Belavia, allowing it to service and obtain parts for its Boeing aircraft, a notable concession for Minsk, which has been under heavy Western sanctions in recent years.
Belarus has long been criticised for imprisoning political opponents, journalists, and activists under what human rights groups describe as “extremism” charges. Although Lukashenko recently released several dissidents, more than 1,000 political prisoners are still believed to be held in Belarusian jails.
