Lithuanian FM says no easing of sanctions on Belarus until all political prisoners freed

VILNIUS – After Belarus released several political prisoners over the weekend, including Syarhei Tsikhanouski, the husband of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said this does not give grounds for considering easing sanctions against the Minsk regime.

"Lithuania is part of the European Union sanctions regime and has also imposed its own measures. As of today, I see no grounds to review anything," Budrys told reporters on Sunday.

He noted that some of the national and EU sanctions were tied to human rights and the state of democracy in Belarus, as well as Minsk's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

"Given the reasons why they were imposed, it's not about one prisoner release, or two, or three. We've already had a series of releases, but all political prisoners must be freed, no new prisoners should be jailed, and only then can we talk about anything," the foreign minister said. 

"That is the direction (Alexander) Lukashenko must take before we can consider reviewing the sanctions policy," he added.

Budrys' comment came after 14 political prisoners were released in Belarus on Saturday and brought to Lithuania. The freed prisoners emphasized the role of US President Donald Trump and his administration in securing their release.