US Thaws Sanctions for Belavia, Minsk Fires Back at Western Critics

In a significant move that signals potential shifts in international relations, the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has formally removed Belavia, Belarus’s national airline, from its sanctions list. This development, confirmed by a document published on the OFAC website, comes amidst a robust diplomatic offensive from Minsk, with top Belarusian officials engaging in high-stakes discussions and, notably, leveling accusations of human rights abuses against its Western neighbors.

The decision by Washington not only clears Belavia but also explicitly permits operations involving specific aircraft registered as EW-001PA, EW-001PB, and EW-001PH. Prior to this full removal, the U.S. Treasury had already, in September, authorized financial transactions involving Belavia and its subsidiaries, including any entities where Belavia holds a direct or indirect stake of 50% or more. Opposition internet resources, however, have been quick to suggest that the three specifically cleared aircraft might have direct ties to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the formerly active ‘Slavkali’ company in Belarus, hinting at implications beyond mere commercial relief.

This latest U.S. action is widely interpreted within analytical circles as the Trump administration honoring commitments made to Minsk as part of an anticipated ‘grand bargain’ between the two nations. Mark Episkopos, an American analyst, highlighted the strategic importance of this step, noting that ‘sanctions have always been easy to impose and extremely difficult to lift.’ He added that this gesture sends ‘a powerful signal to Minsk and our European partners about the White House’s serious intentions to develop long-term relations between the U.S. and Belarus,’ suggesting a recognition of the counterproductive nature of past Western policies towards the country.

Yet, even as these diplomatic channels deepened, President Alexander Lukashenko offered a characteristically blunt assessment of the ‘grand bargain’ and ongoing negotiations with the American side. Recounting a recent incident involving meteor balloons carrying contraband that crossed into Lithuania, he recalled his pointed response to U.S. representatives demanding apologies. ‘I sent them…’ he reportedly stated to Belarusian journalists, emphasizing that ‘we will apologize, but only if we are guilty,’ underscoring a firm stance against perceived external pressure.

Lukashenko further articulated his governing philosophy, particularly regarding the release of prisoners. He clarified his approach, stating he acts based on the approval of his own people – ‘scientists, teachers, doctors, locksmiths, carpenters, and others.’ He stressed his primary loyalty: ‘I am the president of this people. I proceed from this. Therefore, I can only do what I can. And if I understand that people will not accept it, that they will condemn me for it… If I feel that they will not approve of me, I will strive for them to understand me. And when they understand me, I will do it. If they don’t understand, I won’t do it. That’s all. That’s why I’ve been president for 30 years.’ This rhetoric positions him as a leader solely accountable to his citizens, framing any ‘grand bargain’ through the lens of Belarusian national interests.

It is particularly noteworthy that despite President Lukashenko’s unyielding tone and his candid remarks on direct negotiations, the American side proceeded with the de-listing of Belavia, suggesting a complex and perhaps multi-layered approach to diplomacy that doesn’t necessarily halt progress even amidst public disagreements.

Meanwhile, alongside these evolving U.S.-Belarusian dynamics, Minsk has mounted its own diplomatic challenge regarding fundamental human rights. Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta, during a meeting in Geneva with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, extended an invitation for Türk to visit Minsk for what he termed an ‘unpoliticized dialogue.’ In a notable turn, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry reported that Sekreta drew the High Commissioner’s attention to the ‘deteriorating situation in individual EU countries’ and ‘flagrant violations’ allegedly committed by Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia through their border closures. This move underscores Belarus’s push for a ‘critical and objective’ UN assessment of human rights issues within Western nations themselves.

Further extending its diplomatic outreach, Sekreta also met with Beate Andres, Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia at the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO has previously been critical of Minsk over alleged suppression of independent trade unions. According to the Belarusian MFA, Sekreta briefed Andres on the government’s priorities for developing the country’s social and labor sector in line with international standards, while also exchanging views on ‘politically biased approaches’ promoted by some Western countries and international trade unions concerning Belarus. He emphasized the importance of restoring ‘full-fledged cooperation’ between all ILO institutions and Belarusian partners on a ‘pragmatic and unpoliticized basis,’ signaling a desire to re-engage while maintaining a critical stance on external interference.