Natalia Eismont, spokesperson for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, announced on November 22 that Lukashenko had ordered the pardon of 31 Ukrainians detained in the country for criminal offenses. After their release from prison, these individuals were handed over to Ukrainian authorities.

Eismont stated this was a "gesture of goodwill" from Belarus, based on agreements reached between President Lukashenko and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, after receiving a request from Ukraine.

Ukraine confirmed that 31 of its citizens, aged 18-58, had returned home. All had been sentenced to 2-11 years in prison in Belarus, with some suffering from severe illnesses like cancer.

President Lukashenko (right) and US envoy John Coale in Minsk in September. Photo: AFP

Belarus has recently worked to improve relations with the West. Weeks after an August phone call with Trump, President Lukashenko ordered the pardon of 51 political prisoners in the country. This was part of a US-brokered deal, which included lifting some sanctions against Belarus's national airline.

Trump later announced the appointment of lawyer John Coale, who helped broker the agreement, as a US special envoy for Belarus to facilitate the release of more prisoners.

According to Belarusian officials, Minsk and Washington were expected to hold further discussions in December. "Belarus is ready for dialogue. Negotiations with several countries, primarily the US, are actively underway," the Office of the President of Belarus stated on November 22.

"Trump is giving Lukashenko an opportunity to thaw relations with the US, paving the way for Europe to ease sanctions," said Valery Karbalevich, a Belarusian political commentator, adding that European sanctions were causing more damage than US embargoes.

By Pham Giang (AP, Belta, Kyiv Independent)