November 18, Pozirk. The US Department of State should consider the possibility of immediately reinstating sanctions against Alaksandar Łukašenka and his officials, should politically-motivated arrests continue in Belarus, says a letter from a bipartisan group of US lawmakers.
“We urge caution to ensure that any progress on the release of political prisoners is not undermined by the government’s continued pattern of arbitrary detention,” Republican Senator John Curtis, Democratic Senator Peter Welch and Democratic Representatives Steve Cohen and Joe Wilson stressed.
Minsk’s concessions could be designed to distract from Belarus’ sustained support for Moscow’s war on Ukraine, which includes hybrid warfare tactics and facilitation of irregular migration into the European Union, they warned.
“These actions not only perpetuate repression at home but also directly undermine US interests and broader transatlantic security in the region,” the group noted. “While we recognize the Administration’s significant achievements to date, these actions demonstrate the need for sustained vigilance and conditionality in any further engagement with the Łukašenka regime.”
The lawmakers’ letter also urged the Department of State to prioritize the release of prominent opposition figures, including Maryja Kaleśnikava, Viktar and Eduard Babaryka, Maksim Znak, journalist Kaciaryna Andrejeva, rights defenders Marfa Rabkova, Aleś Bialiacki, Valiancin Stefanovič, Uładzimir Łabkovič and Nasta Łojka.
US President Donald Trump and Łukašenka have maintained a friendly dynamic, with the US leader often speaking highly of his Belarusian counterpart. But he has also continued to push for the release of more prisoners.
Earlier this month, Trump appointed John Coale, who helped negotiate the prisoner deals, as special envoy to Belarus, tasking him with securing more prisoner releases.
