The White House said Wednesday that it had secured the release of three prisoners from Belarus, including one U.S. citizen.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Belarus agreed to release the American and two others, including a journalist. She declined to confirm their identities, citing privacy reasons.
“It’s a remarkable victory,” Ms. Leavitt said.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty issued a statement identifying the journalist as Andrey Kuznechyk, who was arrested in November 2021.
“This is a joyous day for Andrey, his wife and their two young children. After more than three years apart, this family is together again thanks to President Trump,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President Stephen Capus said in a statement. “We remain hopeful that our journalist Ihar Losik will also be released and look to the Trump administration for its continued leadership and guidance”
Adam Boehler, U.S. envoy for hostages, told reporters at the White House that it was a “unilateral release” and that nothing was given in exchange for their freedom.
Chris Smith, deputy assistant secretary for Eastern Europe, said the deal was negotiated by Belarusian authorities in Minsk and it signaled a desire by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to bolster its relationship with the U.S.
“This was a unilateral gesture by the Lukashenko authorities,” Mr. Smith said in a CNN interview. “They’re responding to strength. They’re looking to improve ties. This was a gesture on their side.”
Mr. Smith said the three individuals were handed over to U.S. custody in Belarus, and the U.S. then “brought them back out through Lithuania.”
The exchange comes one day after Marc Fogel, an American teacher who had been held in Russia since 2021, was freed by Russia, an ally of Belarus.
President Trump said Tuesday that another American held abroad would be released Wednesday.
“Somebody else is being released tomorrow that you will know of,” Mr. Trump said but did not elaborate further.
Mr. Fogel met with Mr. Trump at the White House late Tuesday after arriving back in the U.S.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.