Belarus
Lukashenko draws himself deeper into Putin’s war
Lukashenko has now officially admitted a certain participation by Belarus in Russia’s war in Ukraine, likely due to increased pressure from Putin for more political support. Now Lukashenko is drawing himself even deeper into Putin’s war.
Russia prepares for new attacks against Ukraine from Belarusian territory
While last week's mobilisation scare from Belarus appears to be a false alarm, Belarus is helping Russia prepare for renewed attacks along the lines of Ukraine's border with Belarus.
Belarus’ turn to China
Last week, Belarus began its accenssion to the Shangai Cooperation Organization and the two countries both signed a deepened strategic partnership. But what does Belarus have to gain from increased integration with China?
Belarus Corruption Watch: How sanctioned Belarusian oligarch Mikalai Varabei’s family has managed to keep its real estate holdings in the EU
Despite having come under EU sanctions in late 2020 for being the “oil money man” of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, Mikalai Varabei and his family have somehow managed to preserve some of their riches in the EU.
Lukashenko meets with Putin in Sochi
As Lukashenko met with Putin in Sochi, economic co-operation was certainly high on the "bilateral agenda." For Lukashenko, the most pressing matter is a new $1.5bn loan, which he doesn't seem to be getting.
Lukashenko declares “no mobilisation” in Belarus as Minsk once again switches tactics
Lukashenko has declared that Belarus will not conduct a mobilisation such as Russia's, and in recent days, statements by Lukashenko and Belarus' foreign minister indicate an attempt at a new tactic from Minsk.
Belarus drafts bill on parallel imports to avoid Western sanctions
It's not only Belarusian exports that have been negatively affected by Western sanctions this year but the country's imports are also down to dangerously low levels. To ease the pressure Belarus is now considering a new law on parallel imports.
Belarus corruption watch: The Belarusian government elites' EU vacations
Despite their current hatred for Western Europe, a new investigation by the Belarusian Investigative Centre shows that a wide range of Belarusian government officials own real estate in, and frequently travel to, the EU.
Belarus PM claims that exports are recovering while Minsk eyes a new route out for potash fertilisers
The damage dealt by Western sanctions on Belarus' export sector seems to be increasing by the month. However, Belarus' PM still claims that exports are recovering. Minsk is also looking at Murmansk as a new route for its fertiliser exports.
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PANNIER: Putin arrived with little to offer an SCO summit that showed no real clout
Disparate interests of organisation’s member nations meant many major issues of the day could not even be discussed. But there was only one dominant member: China.
Belarus and Russia sign tax harmonisation agreement
Minsk and Moscow has signed a draft agreement on a general harmonisation on the collection of the VAT and excise duties, which will be implemented by January 1, 2023. As Moscow draws Minsk ever closer, where does that leave Lukashenko?
Belarus’ government looks for ways boost its domestic forestry market
As western sanctions against Belarus forrest industry hit, Belarus' government is looking to sell industrial timber to individuals while also diversifying its domestic wood products market.
PANNIER: At Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, watch the action on the sidelines
Most important discussions and agreements at Samarkand gathering likely to concern regional connectivity, and the odd men out are Russia and Belarus.
ING: Back to the 80s? What soaring inflation, US rate hikes and a stronger dollar mean for EM sovereign debt
Soaring inflation, rate hikes and a stronger dollar are reminiscent of the early 1980s – a decade that brought a wave of EM sovereign debt crises. This year has already seen Sri Lanka default, hit by an external liquidity crisis.
Belarus increases oil production and plans common oil market with Russia
Amid the EU’s current energy crisis, Belarus and Russia are expanding their energy co-operation and Belarus is even increasing its oil production despite Western sanctions against its oil exports.
Ukraine reinforces its border security with Belarus amid increased provocations
On September 1, Ukraine's General Staff told reporters that Belarus will conduct military exercises between September 8-14, and that Ukraine is ready for "any course of events."
Belarusians want higher living standards
While the exiled Belarusian opposition continues to examine the possibilities of a violent overthrow of the Minsk regime, Belarusians still in Belarus are more worried about their economic situation.
Belarus Corruption Watch: President Alexander Lukashenko’s former lover received illegal state funding for her private school
Belarusian opposition hacktivists and corruption investigator’s have uncovered how the Minsk regime’s political elite have been financing their children’s education with tax-payer money illegally.
An EU visa ban on Belarusians risks playing right into Lukashenko's hands
As several EU countries want to increase visa restrictions for Russians, Belarusians risk getting caught in the crossfire, and in today's geopolitical climate it becomes ever more important to differentiate between a Russian and Belarusian passport.
Belarus in no rush to find a new paying agent for its Eurobonds
On August 23, Belarus’ First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov told state Belarusian media that the government did not consider it an urgent matter to look for a new paying agent for Belarus’ Eurobonds.
