The Atlantic: Trump backs plan to ease Russia sanctions in exchange for political prisoners without waiting for the Ukraine war to end

The Atlantic has reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a proposal to ease sanctions on Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners. Special envoy John Coale proposed this approach, which has already secured the release of about 500 political prisoners in Belarus. Coale is now exploring the possibility of a major deal to buy Belarusian potash, as Trump announced last week, and has begun discussing it with Russia.

Coale's plan aims to break the deadlock in Russia-US talks, but Ukraine does not share the optimism of easing sanctions before the war ends. President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he will do his best to block any attempt to lift sanctions on Russia until the war concludes. Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya also expressed concerns that lifting sanctions in exchange for prisoners could encourage authorities in Russia and Belarus to take more hostages.

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