Barter exchange: the United States lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash, and Lukashenko released another 123 political prisoners

Minsk and Washington successfully exchanged sanctions for human destiniesand Alexander Lukashenko, as experienced deficit trader, again proved that opponents of the regime are in his hands are a universal currency.

123 people were immediately released. On the list – Ales Bialiatsky, Viktor Babariko, Maria Kolesnikova and dozens of others, from journalists to human rights activists. Formally, it is a “humanitarian gesture.” In fact, it’s part of a big deal: the US is lifting sanctions against “Belaruskali”and Lukashenko defiantly opens the cameras. It’s simply called: exchange without embellishment.

American special envoy John Cole, without hiding his satisfaction, said that the sanctionsand “filming now”. Productive negotiations, smiling in front of cameras, assurances of peace and stability – political theater, where even shackles act as scenery.

Most of those released were immediately deported. More than a hundred people were taken to Ukraine, from where they will be sent further to Poland and Lithuania.

Bialiatski was transported blindfolded across half the country and now he speaks from Vilnius. Kolesnikova and Babariko have already met in Ukraine. But even against the backdrop of a massive deal, the excluded remain: Eduard Babariko still in prison and Andrey Pochobutwho was recently awarded the Sakharov Prize, never appeared on the lists.

In the Belarusian media, this operation is presented as an act of “humanism and strengthening international relations.” The West receives a gesture of goodwill, Lukashenko receives money. And everyone pretends that this is normal.

Washington seems to have decided to open a new page in relations. Cole is bursting with optimism: “as normalization progresses, more and more sanctions will be lifted”. From which a simple conclusion can be drawn: Lukashenko still has a lot of “currency” in reserve.

The irony is that all this barter became possible only after the arrival of Trumpwhich, unlike the previous administration, does not see a problem in trading with Minsk as if it were a business deal.

The bottom line: political prisoners were released, but ended up abroad. The sanctions have been lifted, but not all. The regime strengthened its position. Europe is traditionally outraged. The United States pretends to bring democracy closer. And Lukashenko again proved that opponents of the regime can be turned into an instrument of negotiations.

Potassium went – political prisoners came out. Belarusian geopolitics works like a clockwork mechanism, only it ticks in unison with the changing interests of big players.

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