Washington, Dec 14 (V7N) — The United States has lifted export sanctions on Belarusian potash, following high-level diplomatic engagement between Washington and Minsk, according to a report by Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera.

The decision came after the US ambassador met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response to the easing of sanctions, Belarus has released at least 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition figures and human rights activists.

Among those freed are Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatsky, opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, Maxim Jank, and several politicians and civil rights advocates who had been imprisoned during the government’s crackdown on dissent.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has announced the release of at least 114 prisoners, with authorities confirming that those freed will receive emergency medical care.

Belarus has faced years of international sanctions over alleged election fraud and human rights abuses. President Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for decades, is not recognized as the legitimate president by the European Union (EU).

US Special Envoy John Quayle said that the lifting of potash sanctions marks an initial step toward improving bilateral relations. He added that additional sanctions could be removed gradually as diplomatic normalization progresses.

Belarus is a major global supplier of potash, a key ingredient in agricultural fertilizer, and the lifting of sanctions is expected to have significant economic implications for the country.

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