Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka is currently attempting to repair relations with the West by trading political prisoners for concessions. In early September, Belarus and the United States announced an agreement that saw 52 political prisoners released in exchange for an easing of sanctions against Belarusian state airline Belavia. The release of political prisoners by the Lukashenka regime has been hailed by the White House as a step in the right direction as the Trump administration seeks to reengage with Belarus following years of frosty relations. Today, around 1,300 Belarusian political prisoners remain behind bars. Any serious effort to improve relations between Minsk and the democratic world must be grounded in a realistic appraisal of the Lukashenka regime.