On 16 September, U.S. presidential special envoy John Cole announced in Minsk an “interim deal” with dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka: Belarus frees 25 prisoners, and the United States lifts sanctions on two companies — Lida-based Lakokraska and the Bellesbumprom concern. People for enterprises. That is what “direct diplomacy” looks like when a regime trades hostages.

What exactly changed

Cole told reporters the sides had agreed on an interim understanding. “As a gesture of goodwill, Belarus will release 25 people. The United States, in turn, will lift sanctions on two Belarusian companies — Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom,” he said, as quoted by BelTA and independent outlets including DW.

Lakokraska makes paints and industrial coatings in Lida; U.S. restrictions dated back to 2008. Bellesbumprom is the state concern for forestry, woodworking, and pulp and paper; it was added to the American list in 2023. On the morning of the 16th Cole promised delisting — the next day the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control ( OFAC ) formally removed both entities from the SDN List.

Not hundreds — twenty-five

Ahead of the visit Cole had spoken of possible 200–300 releases. In March, after his talks, Lukashenka pardoned 250 people. This time — about ten times fewer. The envoy called it an interim step: both sides would keep working, and “once all issues are resolved,” more lists of people and more company relief would follow. Parallel reports said tens of millions in frozen Belarusian assets might return through U.S. banks — covered by Reuters / NBC.

All 25 were taken to Lithuania. Among them: TUT.BY CEO Liudmila Chekina, Symbal.by founder Pavel Belous, BelAPAN journalists, and Tor Band musicians. Cole published the full list and the first group photo the same day.

The price and what remains

At the end of August, according to Viasna, about 889 political prisoners were still behind bars. Even after this wave, hundreds remain in colonies. Rights defenders note that expulsion as a condition of “freedom” is itself a violation. The dictatorship gets economic oxygen and keeps the lever — new hostages can be jailed tomorrow.

Cole wrote on X: “We’re not done yet!” For the families of 25 people, this is a day out of the cell. For hundreds still inside — another pause in a trade where freedom is again priced in paint, timber, and paper.