Belarus

Belarus leader voices interest in boosting ties with North Korea during meeting with ally Putin

By Associated Press

The Russian leader said he would brief Lukashenko the talks with Kim on Wednesday at the Vostochny spaceport in Russia’s Far East. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko responded by saying that “we could think about three-way cooperation” involving his country.

Lithuania to issue special passports to Belarus citizens staying legally in the Baltic country

By Associated Press

Minsk has announced that it will no longer issue passports to citizens permanently residing abroad in a move considered as a blow to the Belarusian emigrant communities.

Belarus bans citizens from renewing passports abroad, spreading fear among those who fled repression

By Associated Press

An estimated 200-300,000 Belarusians have left the country in the last three years since massive protests against an election that returned President Alexander Lukashenko to office led to a harsh crackdown on the political opposition.

Nobel Prize organizers pull award ceremony invites for Russia, Belarus and Iran after criticism

By Associated Press

The Nobel Foundation on Saturday withdrew its invitation for representatives of Russia, Belarus and Iran to attend this year’s Nobel Prize award ceremonies after the decision announced a day earlier “provoked strong reactions.”…

Anger in Sweden after Nobel Prize organizers invite Russia and Belarus to the award ceremonies

By David Keyton, Associated Press

Last year, the envoys of Russia and Belarus were barred from attending because of the war in Ukraine. Iran's ambassador was excluded as anti-government protests and a security crackdown roiled the country.

Poland, Baltic states warn they could seal borders with Belarus if military, migrant tensions grow

By Monika Scislowska, Associated Press

NATO members Poland and the Baltic states say they will seal off their borders with Russia's ally Belarus if there are any military incidents or a massive migrant push by Minsk.

China's defense minister promises to boost cooperation with Russian ally Belarus

By Yuras Karmanau, Associated Press

Li met with strongman President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk and said "the purpose of my visit to Belarus is precisely the implementation of important agreements at the level of heads of state and the further strengthening of bilateral military cooperation."…

Why tensions have been growing along NATO's eastern border with Belarus

By Monika Scislowska, Yuras Karmanau, Associated Press

Poland is deploying thousands of troops to its border with pro-Russian Belarus, calling it a deterrent move as tensions between the neighbors ratchet up.

Poland plans to deploy 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus amid tensions

By Vanessa Gera, Associated Press

For two years, Poland has contended with migrants arriving at the border from Belarus and trying to enter the country illegally. Anxieties were further heightened last week when two Belarusian military helicopters briefly entered Polish air space.

Belarus begins military drills near its border with Poland, Lithuania as tensions rise

By Associated Press

Both Poland and Lithuania have increased border security since thousands of Wagner fighters arrived in Belarus under a deal that ended their armed rebellion in late June and allowed them and their leader to avoid criminal charges.