Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has welcomed Belarus’ release of 25 political prisoners but warned against interpreting the move as a broader change in policy by the authoritarian government in Minsk.
Nausėda pointed to drones flying into Lithuania from Belarus and attempts at illegal EU border crossings encouraged by Minsk, according to a statement from his office on Thursday.
“We would like to point out that this humanitarian progress achieved solely through pressure from the United States should not be equated with broader political and security changes in Belarus,” Nausėda said following a meeting with US special envoy John Coale.
“Despite these humanitarian gestures, the overall security situation remains essentially unchanged.”
Belarus released 25 political prisoners on Wednesday following talks with a US delegation led by Coale. They later arrived in neighbouring Lithuania, where they were greeted by opposition representatives, supporters and relatives.
In return, the US lifted sanctions on two major Belarusian companies.
Nausėda said Lithuania appreciated the sustained efforts of the US government and Coale’s personal involvement.
Lithuania has long been a hub for the Belarusian opposition, with tens of thousands of Belarusians fleeing to the EU country amid a crackdown following the August 2020 presidential election, which was widely criticized as fraudulent.
Despite the latest releases, rights activists say as many as 1,400 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus.