U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy John Kohl (left) and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko [AP Yonhap News]

Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia, has released 250 political prisoners, and the United States has agreed to ease sanctions, Reuters reported on the 19th (local time).

According to foreign media, the Belarusian government released 235 political prisoners domestically on the same day, in accordance with an agreement with the United States. The remaining 15 individuals were transferred to Lithuania, where they have sought asylum.

The U.S. has partially eased sanctions on Belarus's financial sector, including Belinvestbank, and has lifted all sanctions on fertilizer companies.

The agreement was announced following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy John Kohl and Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

During the meeting, discussions were held regarding the possibility of President Lukashenko visiting the U.S., according to Special Envoy Kohl.

President Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe's last dictator, has been in power since 1994 and secured his seventh term in the last presidential election, extending his tenure until 2030. While he faces criticism for suppressing the opposition and media, he is seeking to improve relations with the U.S. by responding to President Trump's request for pardons for political prisoners.