Through joint efforts, Ukraine and the United States are returning from Belarus about a hundred people, including five Ukrainians, were released. This was announced by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Telegram based on the results of the report by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Kirill Budanov.

In particular, the head of the GUR reported on the details of the preparation of a special event to release civilians who were in Belarus.

"Thanks to the active role of the United States and the cooperation of our intelligence agencies, about a hundred people are now being released, including five Ukrainians. We are helping our American partners to provide appropriate assistance to Ukraine. If necessary, special services from our neighbors in Europe are also involved," Zelenskyy emphasized.

At the same time, the President of Ukraine instructed the GUR and all services represented in the Coordination Headquarters to maximize their work on the Russian side so that the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war could take place by the new year.

"We remember all our people who are still in Russian captivity. Thank you to everyone who helps return Ukrainians!", Zelenskyy noted.

The US lifted some sanctions against Belarus - what is known

As UNIAN reported, in November the United States lifted some of the sanctions against Belarus as part of the process of warming relations.

In September, Belarus released 52 prisoners after the US president Donald Trump made a corresponding appeal. At the same time, Belarus received a promise to lift sanctions against the national airline of Belarus, Belavia.