Belarus released 123 prisoners, including prominent activist Maria Kolesnikova, after the US agreed to lift sanctions on the Eastern European.
Nobel Peace Prize Alles Bialiatski was also among those released in the speeches of the Special Envoy of Belarus, John Coale.
The US has agreed to lift sanctions on potash, a key fertilizer ingredient and an important export for the country whose president is Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Coale said: “As relations between the two countries normalize, more sanctions will be lifted.”
The EU does not recognize Lukashenko as President.
Kolesnikova has been in prison since 2020, most of the time in isolation.
His sister Tatiana, who campaigned relentlessly for his release was able to speak to him by video call shortly after and confirmed the news to the BBC.
A group of freedmen is expected in Lithiana’s capital soon. A crowd gathered outside the US Embassy.