Ukraine welcomes the release of 123 political prisoners, including five Ukrainians, from prisons of the Belarus regime on 13 December 2025.

The release of people who were imprisoned solely for their desire to be free was carried out due to the joint efforts of the United States of America, President Donald Trump personally, the entire democratic community, all human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations, who for many years did not give up the fight for their freedom.

We believe that the release of political prisoners will bring closer the liberation of Belarus as a country that has been under Moscow's vassal rule for many years and in the captivity of Lukashenko's regime, which, in particular, uses people as livestock to be exchanged for political indulgences.

We are convinced that one day Belarus will finally return to its natural position as a free, democratic European country. This will be helped by those who have now been released – from Nobel Prize winners, public and political figures to ordinary freedom-loving people.

Alexander Lukashenko and all those involved in gross human rights violations in Belarus will not escape responsibility for all the crimes and atrocities they have committed against the Belarusian citizens and Belarus, as well as against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is grateful to the Coordination Centre for the Treatment of Prisoners of War for its assistance in carrying out this important humanitarian operation.