Belarus Releases Three Detainees Including US Citizen

Belarus Releases Three Detainees Including US Citizen
Above: White House news Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaking on recent prisoner release deals on Feb. 12, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

The release represents a diplomatic victory for the Trump administration and demonstrates the president's deal-making abilities, coming immediately after successfully negotiating Marc Fogel's release from Russia, showing America's commitment to bringing its citizens home.

Anti-Trump narrative

The releases appear to be cynical moves by Belarusian President Lukashenko to repair relations with the West following years of sanctions imposed over domestic repression and support for Russia's actions in Ukraine, rather than genuine reform of its approach to political dissent. Trump's dealings with authoritarian regimes must be closely scrutinized.

Metaculus Prediction



The Controversies



Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!