Ukraine Brings Home 31 Civilians From Belarusian Prisons With Trump’s Help

On November 22, Ukraine repatriated 31 of its citizens previously held in Belarusian prisons, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The individuals, both men and women, had been convicted and imprisoned in Belarus for terms ranging from 2 to 11 years.

The release was officially confirmed by Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters. Spokesperson for Ukraine’s Military Intelligence Directorate, Andrii Yusov, said during a national television broadcast that the operation was made possible through international mediation, noting: “This is truly an important event… I would like to separately thank the United States and President Donald Trump for their leading role.”

Yusov added that most of those returned had been imprisoned “for their pro-Ukrainian stance” and accused of “assisting Ukraine.” He also noted the involvement of John Koel, US Presidential Envoy to Belarus, and Christopher Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.

Among the released individuals were people suffering from severe illnesses, including cancer. The youngest repatriated Ukrainian was 18 years old, and the oldest was 58.

According to the Belarusian state channel Belarus 1, spokesperson for Alexander Lukashenko, Natallia Eismont, said the release was conducted “at the request of the Ukrainian side” and framed it as a “gesture of goodwill.”

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She also claimed the action was taken “in development of agreements reached between US President Donald Trump and the President of the Republic of Belarus.”

Eismont stated that the release aimed “to create conditions for resolving the armed conflict in the neighboring state,” and was presented as part of Minsk’s purported strategy to “stabilize the regional situation.”

Earlier, on October 2, Ukraine secured the release of 205 people—185 soldiers and 20 civilians—as part of a major prisoner exchange with Russia, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

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