Tsikhanouski’s sudden release came as US special envoy Keith Kellogg visited Belarusian capital Minsk on Saturday and held a meeting with the country’s authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
BREAKING:
⚡⚡⚡ Belarusian political prisoners Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Ihar Losik, and at least 12 others have been released!
UPD: The release of Ihar Losik has not been confirmed. pic.twitter.com/Gpy2WrsK2B
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 21, 2025
⚡️Belarus and the U.S. are discussing full normalization of relations
— said Belarus’s Permanent Representative to the UN, without clarifying who first suggested “turning the page.”
Belarus: “Let’s start with a clean slate.”
U.S.: “First erase what you wrote on the previous one… pic.twitter.com/7KcFrX4pN6
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 22, 2025
Kellogg’s deputy John Coale said in a post on X that a total of 14 prisoners were released in an agreement helped through the cooperation of the Lithuanian government.
President Trump’s strong leadership led to the release of 14 prisoners from Belarus today. Thanks to the Lithuanian government for its cooperation and assistance – they remain a true friend and ally. pic.twitter.com/W9xUj29l4Z
— john coale (@johnpcoale) June 21, 2025
Speaking at the US embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, Coale said that Kellog’s visit to Belarus had the full approval of President Donald Trump.
“I want to thank all of those who made my release possible. First of all, to President Trump.” – Siarhei Tsikhanouski, asking the 🇺🇸 administration to help free all political prisoners in Belarus. @POTUS pic.twitter.com/GbTe7nzWXC
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 22, 2025
I want to personally thank President Trump @POTUS and his administration for their tireless efforts.
More than 1,150 Belarusians remain unjustly imprisoned. This must end.
We will keep working with our allies to free every political prisoner—and bring justice to Belarus. pic.twitter.com/kcKyVsmO7a
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 22, 2025
Lukashenko, the Belarusian strongman leader, has been isolated by Western politicians for many years. Neither his re-election in 2020 nor this year were ever officially recognised and Belarus was placed under Western sanctions.
Thank you for all the wonderful messages of love and support! ❤️
After 5 years apart, it’s only our second day together as a family again. Siarhei is full of energy, and I’m so impressed with his strength.
The moment he was released, he returned to the fight for freedom. ✊ pic.twitter.com/ZLYFgfLQZh
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 23, 2025
The freeze in relations deepened when Belarus aided Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, allowing troops to cross its territory and missiles to be launched from its land.
No other president alive today has had to shoulder what 🇺🇦 President @ZelenskyyUa has. I support him fully, unconditionally, and wholeheartedly. To me, President Zelenskyy is a hero. pic.twitter.com/YsT6qxp1Om
— Siarhei Tsikhanouski (@tsikhanouski_s) June 22, 2025
But the release of Tsikhanouski and other prisoners does not mean the end of political repression in Belarus.
I told @FRANCE24 that pressure on the illegitimate Belarus regime must continue until all political prisoners are released and repression ends. My husband @tsikhanouski_s is finally free, but many others remain unjustly imprisoned in inhumane conditions.https://t.co/ZzvdGE1L2Y
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 23, 2025
Hundreds more people are still behind bars for nothing more than their opposition to Lukashenko’s rule.
In this @AP interview, my husband @tsikhanouski_s spoke about the conditions he endured during 5 years in prison—torture, isolation & starvation.
Over 1,150 political prisoners are still behind bars in Belarus. We must keep fighting for their freedom.https://t.co/8atQLdSup9
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 23, 2025
Tsikhanouski was imprisoned in May 2020 as he prepared to run for the presidency against Lukashenko.
I can see what prison did to Siarhei. The weight he lost—the pain. But I also see the fire in his eyes. He didn’t ask for rest today—he wants to continue the fight.
That’s how I know him. And that’s why we keep going. For everyone still behind bars. For a free Belarus. pic.twitter.com/3uvAanQQwM
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 23, 2025
Tsikhanouskaya ran in her husband’s place in the presidential election. Mass protests broke out in the country after the opposition accused Lukashenko of rigging the vote in August 2020.
Only solidarity, pressure, and diplomacy can free all political prisoners in Belarus. We need the continued support of our democratic partners.
Our position is clear: Repression must end. Everyone must be released. And every Belarusian must have the right to return home. pic.twitter.com/giU9qd3SVb
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 22, 2025
Tsikhanouskaya said in December 2021 that her husband, who denied the charges against him, was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Even after everything he’s endured, @tsikhanouski_s never lost his humor or his hope. He didn’t break.
Now the world can meet the man I love—kind, courageous, and full of fire. 🔥
He’s already reading, writing & asking about everyone.
They tried to silence him. They failed! pic.twitter.com/TYRIRfHGMG
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 23, 2025
(ab/gs)
Click on the audio player above for a report by Agnieszka Bielawska.