Global Diplomacy: Belarus, Brazil, and China Make Headlines

Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including prominent opposition figures Maria Kolesnikova and Ales Bialiatski, after the US agreed to lift sanctions on the country's potash exports. The release follows talks between US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. The deal is seen as a major achievement for Lukashenko, who has been internationally isolated since disputed elections five years ago. The released prisoners were transported to Ukraine, with some later being taken to Poland and Lithuania. The move marks a significant shift in US policy towards Belarus, diverging from the EU's approach of sanctioning and isolating the country.

Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova, as part of a deal with the US to ease sanctions on the country's potash sector. The release is seen as a step towards improving relations between Belarus and the West, with US Special Envoy John Coale meeting with authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to discuss normalization. However, Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya warned that Lukashenko's policies remain unchanged, and that caution is needed to avoid reinforcing Russia's war machine. The US has lifted sanctions on Belarusian potash, and Belarus has released over 430 political prisoners since July 2024. The talks also touched on Venezuela and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The United States has removed Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes from its sanctions list after initially adding him in July over his role in leading the trial against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The move comes after a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and represents a thawing in the frosty relationship between the two governments. The sanctions were imposed due to allegations that de Moraes had abused his authority by suppressing freedom of expression and authorizing arbitrary pretrial detentions. Brazil's government celebrated the lifting of sanctions, characterizing it as a 'big defeat' for Bolsonaro's family.

Belarus has released 123 prisoners, including key opposition figures and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, in exchange for US sanctions relief. The release is seen as a move by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to improve relations with the US, with the US special envoy hinting that around 1,000 remaining political prisoners could be released in the coming months. The released prisoners include Maria Kolesnikova, a symbol of resistance against Lukashenko's regime, and Viktar Babaryka, a former banker who challenged Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential elections. While the release is a significant moment for the opposition movement, analysts believe Lukashenko's loyalty will remain with Russia, and the move may be aimed at economic recovery rather than democratic transition.

China aims to boost both imports and exports in 2026 to drive sustainable trade growth, according to Han Wenxiu, deputy director of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission's general office. The country has faced pressure to address its trade imbalance, with a record-breaking surplus exceeding US$1 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged China to shift towards a consumption-led model and reduce its reliance on exports and investment. China plans to encourage service exports, boost digital and green trade, and increase consumption by loosening restrictions, raising incomes, and attracting tourist spending.