Belarus has freed 52 prisoners of various nationalities including a European Union employee after an appeal from US President Donald Trump, and they headed to Lithuania with the US delegation that negotiated their release, the US embassy in Vilnius says.

Trump had urged Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, to release detainees whom the US leader has described as "hostages".

Belarus later confirmed their release.

In return for Lukashenko's gesture, the US will grant sanctions relief to Belarus airline Belavia, allowing it to service and buy components for its aircraft, which includes Boeings, the US embassy said.

It was the biggest batch of prisoners pardoned by the authoritarian leader, who is seeking to repair relations with the Unite

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