BELTA cited Coale as saying that more prisoners would be released and more sanctions lifted once all issues between the US and Belarus, a close Russian ally, have been resolved. Belarus will release 25 more prisoners under an interim agreement with the United States, while Washington plans to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies and pursue broader negotiations. Key points and original sources are listed below.

• BELTA cited Coale as saying that more prisoners would be released and more sanctions lifted once all issues between the US and Belarus, a close Russian ally, have been resolved.S1

• Belarus will release 25 more prisoners under an interim agreement with the United States, while Washington plans to lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies and pursue broader negotiations.S2

• The deal was part of lengthy negotiations in which Washington is urging Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to free hundreds of people.S3