Inside Trump’s Dual Strategy on Belarus: New Sanctions and Secret Prisoner Talks
President Trump has renewed U.S. sanctions on Belarus for another year, with the order logged in the Federal Register just before the June 16 deadline. These measures date back to 2006 and target officials accused of undermining democratic institutions. At the same time, U.S. envoy John Coale has held four rounds of confidential talks in Minsk since June 2025. Those negotiations secured the release of over 250 political prisoners and lifted sanctions on Belarusian banks, the national airline, and the Finance Ministry. More than 1,100 political detainees remain in Belarus. Coale says that a full release could pave the way for removing most remaining sanctions. A new delegation is expected to arrive in Minsk soon.
Use The App To Win ₦1m
Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.