VILNIUS, Lithuania — The United States said it is lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash, signaling a possible easing of relations with the isolated autocracy, after high-level talks between Washington and Minsk.

John Coale, the U.S. special envoy for Belarus, announced the decision after meeting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on Friday and Saturday.

Coale described the discussions as “very productive,” according to Belarus’ state news agency Belta, and said normalizing relations between the two countries was Washington’s goal.

“We’re lifting sanctions, releasing prisoners. We’re constantly talking to each other,” Coale said, adding that bilateral ties were moving from “baby steps to more confident steps” as dialogue increased.

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has faced years of Western sanctions over human rights abuses and for allowing Moscow to use its territory during the 2022 war against Ukraine. Lukashenko has ruled the country of 9.5 million for more than three decades.

The move follows earlier contacts between U.S. officials and Lukashenko in September 2025, when Washington eased some sanctions and Belarus released more than 50 political prisoners into Lithuania.

Since July 2024, Belarus has freed more than 430 political prisoners in what has been widely viewed as an attempt to improve ties with the West.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press that sanctions relief was part of an understanding between Minsk and Washington, with expectations that another large group of political prisoners would be released.

“The freeing of political prisoners means that Lukashenko understands the pain of Western sanctions and is seeking to ease them,” she said, while warning against assuming any broader political change.

Tsikhanouskaya said Lukashenko’s repression continued and cautioned that easing sanctions should not reinforce Russia’s war effort.

She also said European Union sanctions on Belarusian potash were more damaging to Minsk than U.S. measures and argued they should be used to push for long-term reforms and an end to the war in Ukraine.

According to Belta, the latest talks also addressed Venezuela and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Coale said Lukashenko offered “good advice” on the issue, noting his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Naturally, President Putin may accept some advice and not others,” Coale said. — Agencies.