Belarus
BRICS leaders gather in Rio to challenge Western dominance
Leaders from the BRICS group have convened in Rio de Janeiro for their 17th annual summit, casting the expanded bloc as a counterweight to Western institutions whilst grappling with internal divisions over key geopolitical flashpoints.
Putin congratulates Belarusian President Lukashenko on Independence Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on Belarus’s Independence Day on July 3, highlighting their long-standing cultural ties and emphasising their common fight against the Nazis in WWII.
Poland eyes border checks with Lithuania amid migrant pressure, but Vilnius left in the dark
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on June 30 that his government is considering reintroducing border controls with Lithuania in response to increased concerns about irregular migration.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
Putin heads to Belarus for EEU summit amid divisions within bloc
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Belarus on June 26-27 to attend events commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Belarus bargains for relevance, and Washington plays along
In a surprising turn of diplomacy, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, met with Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on June 21,and 14 political prisoners were subsequently set free from Belarussian prison.
The Belarusian opposition leaders Sergey and Svetlana Tikhanovsky vow to continue the fight to release more political prisoners
Belarusian opposition figures Sergey Tikhanovsky, and his wife, presidential contender Svetlana Tikhanovskaya vowed to continue their fight against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and seek the release of more political prisoners.
Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovsky freed after US-brokered pardon
Belarusian opposition figure Sergey Tikhanovsky was freed on June 21 after a pardon mediated by US envoy Keith Kellogg.
Belarus sliding back into Soviet economy habits
Russia been transformed into a war economy, but it is still run on market lines. Belarus is going in the opposite direction, one that is increasingly mirrors Soviet-style economic management.
Belarus inflation exceeds official targets as May rate hits 7.1%
Consumer prices in Belarus rose 0.7% in May, pushing annual inflation to 7.1%, according to data published by the National Statistical Committee, Belstat, on June 10. The latest figures show inflation outpacing government targets and accelerating fro
Israeli embassies worldwide suspend operations
Israeli diplomatic missions globally have suspended operations amid the ongoing Israeli military operation against Iran which has killed nearly 80 people.
China launches international mediation organisation in Hong Kong
China has launched a new international mediation organisation in Hong Kong on May 30, signed by 31 countries
Turkmen labour migrants turning elsewhere as Turkey is less welcoming
Uzbekistan and Belarus new, hot destinations.
COMMENT: Amid shrinking civic space, will the EBRD still uphold its democratic mandate?
As the global Democracy Index recorded a historic low in 2024, institutions tasked with upholding democratic values are under increasing pressure to adapt.
78-year-old protest legend Nina Bahinskaya faces new charges in Belarus crackdown
According to a report from Human Rights Group Viasna released on May 8, Belarusian authorities have initiated a criminal investigation against 78-year-old activist Nina Bahinskaya for wearing a white-red-white pin in Minsk in 2024.
Putin and Lukashenko speak on Union State ties and united historical memory at Volgograd forum
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political and economic integration between their two countries.
Russia proposes joint aviation venture with Belarus as part of expanded industrial cooperation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to establish a joint aviation enterprise with Belarusian specialists as part of deepening industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Russian and Belarusian agents accused of plotting attacks on exiled Belarusians in Lithuania
Lithuania’s domestic intelligence agency has accused Russian and Belarusian intelligence services of plotting to carry out violent attacks on Belarusian exiles residing in the country.
Belarus now ‘untouchable’ under Russia’s nuclear umbrella
President Lukashenko says the new Union State security treaty guarantees Belarus “absolute security,” citing its alliance with nuclear-armed Russia as a strong deterrent against any potential foreign aggression.