"They Showed Incredible Bravery."
- 14.12.2025, 17:47
European politicians reacted to the release of Belarusian political prisoners.
On December 13, after the meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and the U.S. special envoy for Belarus John Cole, 123 political prisoners were released in Belarus. All of them were taken abroad, mostly to Ukraine.
The site Charter97.org collected the reaction of European politicians to the release of Belarusian political prisoners.
Gitanas Nauseda, president of Lithuania, where 9 of the released political prisoners were taken, wrote on his social media page X:
"I welcome the release of 123 political prisoners in Belarus. Among them are brave fighters for democracy: Maria Kolesnikova and Ales Bialiatski. They have shown incredible bravery. I wish them strength to be reunited with their families. Lithuania supports them and all those fighting for freedom."
The head of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said the EU welcomed the release of 123 political prisoners in Belarus but would continue to push for the release of all political prisoners, including Andrzej Poczobut.
"I welcome the release of a number of political prisoners in Belarus, including Sakharov Prize laureates Maria Kolesnikova and Ales Bialiatski, who is also a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
They have been through so much. I wish them strength and the opportunity to be reunited with their families and loved ones.
The European Parliament will continue to seek the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who will be awarded the Sakharov Prize in Strasbourg on Tuesday.
To those who are still behind bars: we will not forget you. Belarus will be free," Roberta Metsola wrote in X.
"I welcome today's release of political prisoners in Belarus, including Ales Bialiatski, Maria Kolesnikova and EU citizens.
This event should strengthen our resolve. Determination to continue fighting for all remaining prisoners in Belarus because they had the courage to tell the truth to the authorities. The fight for human rights and justice in Belarus must continue. Until the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people are met," announced the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, wrote in X:
"I welcome the release of Ales Bialiatski and Maria Kolesnikova from detention in Belarus. Both are strong supporters of human rights and democracy in their country. The Council of Europe will continue to work with the democratic forces in Belarus."
Theodoros Roussopoulos, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, wrote in X:
"Very happy to learn that Vaclav Havel Prize winners Maria Kolesnikova and Ales Bialiatski have just been released from prison along with 121 other political prisoners! This is really great news at the end of a year full of challenges and problems!".
"All political prisoners in Belarus must be released!" - said Polish MEP Michal Szczerba.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas noted the United States' contribution to the release of political prisoners from Belarus.
The EU diplomacy chief welcomed the fact that opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, lawyer Maxim Znak and 120 other political prisoners have been released. "I share the joy of their families and friends. The credit for this belongs to the United States," she wrote. - It is now necessary to release all those who remain unjustly detained," Callas added.
FDR Chancellor Friedrich Merz was also overjoyed by the news of the release of the Belarusian prisoners. "This news from Belarus fills me with joy: the release of Maria Kolesnikova, Ales Bialiatski and other political prisoners is long overdue and is a success of a courageous civil society fighting for freedom and civil rights. We are on their side," he wrote in X.
"I am very pleased with the release of Maria Kolesnikova, Viktor Babariko, Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak, and more than 100 other prisoners in Belarus. I thank the U.S. government for its efforts," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful wrote in X. Like Kallas, he wrote that the German government's goal "remains the release of all those still imprisoned on political grounds."
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has expressed "deep relief and sincere joy" over the release of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski from prison in Belarus.
"His release is a very welcome and long-awaited moment ... The Norwegian Nobel Committee calls on the Belarusian authorities to release all political prisoners and guarantee Ales Bialiatski and other human rights activists the opportunity to live and work freely without fear of new persecution."
We recall that yesterday Lukashenko released 123 political prisoners.
The released include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, opposition politician Pavel Seviarynets, human rights activist Vladimir Lobkovich and a number of other prisoners of conscience.
The majority of those pardoned were forcibly removed to the territory of Ukraine.