U.S. Special Envoy John Coale has backed a call by Valery Kavaleuski, head of the Euro-Atlantic Cooperation Agency, for European countries to join efforts to secure the release of Belarusian political prisoners.
The Belarusian politician commented on Thursday’s news about the pardon of 28 political prisoners, describing it as “another positive step by the Belarusian authorities.”
“28 political prisoners have been announced for the early release under the national pardoning procedure — another positive step by the Belarusian authorities. Once again, the assumption of impossible is pushed and the space of possible is expanded.
We continue working to release all political prisoners and to end criminal persecution for political motives in Belarus. It is crucial for the expedited progress in this work that the US diplomatic effort firmly and tenaciously led by Special Envoy John Coale and DAS Christopher Smith in cooperation with Minsk is supported by the European nations,” he wrote on X.
Kavaleuski addressed his appeal to French President Emmanuel Macron, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the European External Action Service, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Coale replied to the post with a single word: “Agree.”
Agree https://t.co/elaoqEwUQH
— john coale (@johnpcoale) July 1, 2026
