Embattled Belarus leader jeered by workers as strikes grow
4 years, 4 months ago

Embattled Belarus leader jeered by workers as strikes grow

Live Mint  

Workers heckled and jeered President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday as he visited a factory and strikes grew across Belarus, raising the pressure on the authoritarian leader to step down after 26 years in office. On the ninth straight day of mass protests over the official results of the Aug 9 presidential election that demonstrators say was rigged, Lukashenko flew by helicopter to a factory in the capital of Minsk to try to rally support, but he was met by angry workers chanting, “Go away!” He told the workers: “I will never cave in to pressure.” Lukashenko said the country could have a new presidential election, but only after approving an amended version of its constitution — an apparent bid to buy some time amid the growing political crisis. He needs to go,” said Sergei Dylevsky, the leader of the protest at the Minsk Tractor Plant, adding that Tsikhanouskaya is "our president, legitimate and elected by the people.” Dylevsky voiced concern that the iron-fisted leader's weekend telephone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin could herald an attempt by the country's giant eastern neighbor to send in troops to prop up Lukashenko. “Russia understands Lukashenko's weakness and is preparing its own scenario, which could envisage a deep integration in exchange for military assistance,” Klaskovsky said.

Russia Election Workers Country Belarus Lithuania President Putin Leader Lukashenko Minsk Tsikhanouskaya  strikes  president  embattled  grow  country  told  workers  jeered  belarus  lukashenko  election  leader  tsikhanouskaya  weekend

History of this topic

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities have launched a new wave of arrests, seeking to uproot any sign of dissent ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, rights campaigners said. “The new massive wave of arrests and searches is a planned action of intimidation ahead of the election,” said Viasna’s representative Pavel Sapelka. …

Terrified dictator Lukashenko pleads with Putin and Zelensky to agree a peace deal - with the Belarus leader fearing Ukraine's troops now plan an incursion into his nation
4 months, 1 week ago

Terrified dictator Lukashenko pleads with Putin and Zelensky to agree a peace deal - with the Belarus leader fearing Ukraine's troops now plan an incursion into his nation

Daily Mail  

Terrified dictator Alexander Lukashenko has urged Russia and Ukraine to agree a peace deal to avoid the war spilling over into Belarus. President Lukashenko, a key ally of Vladimir Putin, said he fears Kyiv's troops are now planning an incursion into his nation after they launched a cross-border offensive in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko …

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow
5 months ago

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Lukashenko has turned Belarus into a fragment of the USSR, …

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow
5 months ago

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — For three decades, European leaders have come and gone by the dozens, but Alexander Lukashenko remains in absolute control of Belarus. “Lukashenko has turned Belarus into a fragment of the USSR, dangerous not only for its own citizens but also threatening its Western neighbors with nuclear weapons,” said independent political analyst Valery Karbalevich. He describes the Belarusian …

Belarus’ authoritarian leader names new foreign minister and reshuffles other top officials
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarus’ authoritarian leader names new foreign minister and reshuffles other top officials

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday reshuffled his top officials in what observers saw as part of maneuvering ahead of the 2025 presidential election. As part of the government changes announced Thursday, Lukashenko named Maksim Ryzhankou as the new foreign minister to replace Sergei Aleinik, who had spent less than two years on the job. Pavel Latushkа, …

Hungary's foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Hungary's foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó …

Hungary’s foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Hungary’s foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Hungary’s top diplomat visited Belarus on Wednesday for talks on expanding ties despite the European Union’s sanctions against the country. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó declared that “our position is clear: the fewer sanctions, the more cooperation!” The EU has slapped an array of sweeping sanctions on Belarus for the repression, which followed mass protests fueled by …

Risk of military incidents on Belarus-Ukraine border quite high: Lukashenko
8 months ago

Risk of military incidents on Belarus-Ukraine border quite high: Lukashenko

Al Jazeera  

President also said there could be an ‘apocalypse’ if Russia used nuclear weapons in retaliation for Western actions. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that the risk of military incidents along his country’s border with Ukraine was quite high, according to Russia’s state-run RIA news agency. Belarus had moved several combat-ready battalions from Vitebsk region, situated on its border with …

Belarus’ election reinforces the authoritarian leader’s 30-year rule. Only loyalists could run
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Belarus’ election reinforces the authoritarian leader’s 30-year rule. Only loyalists could run

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities on Monday announced preliminary results from parliamentary and local elections in which only candidates loyal to the country’s authoritarian leader were allowed to compete and the opposition called for a boycott. The vote further cemented the 30-year rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, who declared his intention to seek another five-year term in a presidential election …

As Belarus votes in tightly controlled elections, its leader accuses the West of fueling unrest
10 months ago

As Belarus votes in tightly controlled elections, its leader accuses the West of fueling unrest

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The authoritarian leader of Belarus on Tuesday accused the West of trying to foment protests during parliamentary and local elections this month in order to undermine his rule, while the country’s opposition leader-in-exile denounced the vote as a “cynical farce” and called for its boycott. “Belarusians inside the country hate this regime, but they can’t openly say …

Belarus raids apartments of opposition activists as part of sweeping probe called latest crackdown
1 year ago

Belarus raids apartments of opposition activists as part of sweeping probe called latest crackdown

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ criminal investigation agency said Tuesday that it has conducted raids as part of a sweeping probe into an alleged attempt by the opposition to seize power three years ago. “This is the authorities’ revenge against those who have demanded criminal prosecution of Lukashenko and his entourage over the crimes they have committed.” Belarus’ Investigative Committee said …

Belarus leader asks Hungary’s Orban to visit and seeks a dialogue with EU amid country’s isolation
1 year, 1 month ago

Belarus leader asks Hungary’s Orban to visit and seeks a dialogue with EU amid country’s isolation

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The authoritarian president of Belarus invited Hungary’s prime minister to visit his country, which has faced increasing isolation over the government’s relentless crackdown on dissent and support of ally Russia’s war with Ukraine. Lukashenko expressed readiness “for a dialogue with European countries” and invited Orban over “to discuss serious matters.” Orban’s press chief, Bertalan Havasi, said the …

Putin not pushing Belarus to join Ukraine war, Lukashenko says
1 year, 4 months ago

Putin not pushing Belarus to join Ukraine war, Lukashenko says

Al Jazeera  

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says Russian leader has achieved ‘goals’ in Ukraine and it is now time to negotiate. Russian President Vladimir Putin is not pushing Belarus into joining the war in Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said, but he warned that Minsk would respond to external aggression including the use of Russia’s nuclear weapons deployed in his country. In …

Poland to move 10,000 troops to border near Belarus as Wagner threat grows
1 year, 4 months ago

Poland to move 10,000 troops to border near Belarus as Wagner threat grows

India TV News  

The Polish Defense Minister on Thursday said that the government is planning to deploy at least 10,000 troops along its border with neighbouring Belarus to prepare for a possible altercation with Wagner mercenary forces and migants trying to illegally cross the border. Additional 2,000 troops would be sent to the border over the next two weeks to double Poland's military …

Poland’s ruling party leader vows to protect the EU border with Russia’s ally Belarus
1 year, 4 months ago

Poland’s ruling party leader vows to protect the EU border with Russia’s ally Belarus

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — The European Union’s border with Russian ally Belarus has become more dangerous because of Russia’s military presence there, and securing the frontier is the Polish government’s top priority, Poland’s ruling party leader said Thursday. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a deputy prime minister and head of the conservative Law and Justice party, made the comments while visiting the village of …

Putin, Lukashenko to meet after Russia warns about aggression against Belarus
1 year, 5 months ago

Putin, Lukashenko to meet after Russia warns about aggression against Belarus

India Today  

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko will meet on Sunday, the Kremlin said, two days after Moscow warned that any aggression against its neighbour and staunchest ally would be considered an attack on Russia. After Poland decided earlier this week to move military units closer to its border with Belarus in response to the arrival in Belarus …

Belarus says Wagner chief who staged mutiny is in Russia, raising questions about Kremlin’s strategy
1 year, 5 months ago

Belarus says Wagner chief who staged mutiny is in Russia, raising questions about Kremlin’s strategy

Associated Press  

MINSK, Belarus — The mercenary leader who led a short-lived mutiny against the Kremlin is in Russia and his troops are in their field camps, the president of Belarus said Thursday, raising new questions about the deal that ended the extraordinary challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s rule. Last week, Lukashenko said the mercenary leader was in Belarus, but on Thursday …

After brief exile in Belarus, Wagner boss in Russia: Lukashenko
1 year, 5 months ago

After brief exile in Belarus, Wagner boss in Russia: Lukashenko

Al Jazeera  

Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is back in Russia less than two weeks after leading rebellion, according to the Belarusian president. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who last month brokered a deal to end Wagner’s mutiny in Russia, has said that its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was no longer in Belarus. Lukashenko said on June 27 that Prigozhin, whose fighters briefly captured a …

Belarus leader welcomes Wagner forces but others in the country see them as a threat
1 year, 5 months ago

Belarus leader welcomes Wagner forces but others in the country see them as a threat

Associated Press  

As life in Russia returned to normal after an armed rebellion by a mercenary group, tensions were rising in and around its neighbor Belarus, where the exiled leader of the force and some of its fighters were settling in. “We’re categorically against stationing Russian mercenaries in Belarus and are preparing a ‘warm’ welcome to Wagnerites in Belarus,” said Aliaksandr Azarau, …

Belarus leader welcomes Wagner forces but others in the country see them as a threat
1 year, 5 months ago

Belarus leader welcomes Wagner forces but others in the country see them as a threat

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We’re categorically against stationing Russian …

Wagner chief Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, its President Alexander Lukashenko says
1 year, 5 months ago

Wagner chief Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, its President Alexander Lukashenko says

The Hindu  

Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of prison recruits and other mercenaries who have fought some of the deadliest battles in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, escaped prosecution for his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin and is in Belarus, that country’s president said. Like Putin, Lukashenko portrayed the war in Ukraine as an existential threat, saying, “If Russia collapses, …

Belarus leader Lukashenko’s purported mediation in Kremlin crisis stretches credibility to the limit
1 year, 6 months ago

Belarus leader Lukashenko’s purported mediation in Kremlin crisis stretches credibility to the limit

CNN  

CNN — Nearly three years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin stood by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in his hour of need, backing Europe’s longest-running dictator as he faced a wave of street protests. A quick recap: A major crisis shook the foundations of the Russian state Saturday, as forces loyal to Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin marched toward Moscow. The …

Photos, video of Belarus leader emerge after days of absences that sparked health rumors
1 year, 7 months ago

Photos, video of Belarus leader emerge after days of absences that sparked health rumors

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — For nearly a week, the whereabouts of Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko have been a mystery. Then came Monday’s state news report on his appearance at the central command post of the Belarusian air force, although there was no explanation of his recent absences or report on his health. Russian lawmaker Konstantin Zatulin told Russian media Sunday …

Belarus president and firm Russia ally Lukashenko to visit China
1 year, 9 months ago

Belarus president and firm Russia ally Lukashenko to visit China

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Beijing comes as China’s relations with the US have plummeted. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has praised China’s predominant role in world affairs saying that no one could contain its growth and no problem in the world can be resolved without Beijing’s input. “Today, no one can contain China or stop its development,” Lukashenko told …

Belarus to form new paramilitary force amid Ukraine conflict
1 year, 10 months ago

Belarus to form new paramilitary force amid Ukraine conflict

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Belarus’ authoritarian president said Monday that the ex-Soviet nation will form a new territorial defense force amid the fighting in neighboring Ukraine. President Alexander Lukashenko has cultivated close military ties with Russia, which used Belarusian territory to send troops into Ukraine nearly a year ago at the start of what the Kremlin calls its “special military operation.” Russia …

Hungary FM’s Belarus visit 1st from EU country since 2020
1 year, 10 months ago

Hungary FM’s Belarus visit 1st from EU country since 2020

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Monday became the first senior official from a European Union country to visit Belarus since the authoritarian Belarusian regime imposed a harsh crackdown on opposition in 2020. The EU has slapped an array of sanctions on the country already, both for the repression that followed mass protests against the 2020 presidential …

Lukashenko: Belarus willing to offer more help to Russia
1 year, 10 months ago

Lukashenko: Belarus willing to offer more help to Russia

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said …

Putin on 'extremely difficult situation' as Ukraine seeks end to war: Top 10
2 years ago

Putin on 'extremely difficult situation' as Ukraine seeks end to war: Top 10

Hindustan Times  

Ten months into the Ukraine war and with no end in sight, Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to demonstrate a defiant stand over the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a news conference with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following their meeting in Minsk, Belarus December 19, 2022. The situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, in the Kherson and …

Vladimir Putin heads for Belarus amid fears of new assault on Ukraine
2 years ago

Vladimir Putin heads for Belarus amid fears of new assault on Ukraine

The Hindu  

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin flies to Belarus on Monday amid fear in Kyiv that he intends to pressure the former Soviet ally to join a new ground offensive against Ukraine and reopen a new front. Foreign diplomats say Mr. Lukashenko, a pariah in the West who relies heavily on Russian support, understands it would be a deeply unpopular step at …

Opposition leader says Belarus shouldn’t fight for Russia
2 years, 1 month ago

Opposition leader says Belarus shouldn’t fight for Russia

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — An opposition leader in exile from Belarus said Tuesday that her country’s soldiers should lay down their arms if they are deployed to Ukraine under pressure from Russia. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who has been in exile in Lithuania since 2020, said the leadership of Belarus has become a hostage of powerful allies in Moscow who provide …

Belarus warns against pushing nuclear-armed Russia ‘into corner’
2 years, 2 months ago

Belarus warns against pushing nuclear-armed Russia ‘into corner’

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, days after reigniting concerns he could commit his army to support Russian forces in Ukraine, has warned against forcing his key ally “into a corner”, saying Russia has nuclear weapons for a reason. You can’t cross them.” In recent weeks, there has been growing concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin may resort to nuclear weapons since …

Lukashenko says Belarus and Russia to deploy joint military group
2 years, 2 months ago

Lukashenko says Belarus and Russia to deploy joint military group

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian president says the two allies will deploy a military task force, without specifying the location. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said Belarus and Russia will deploy a joint military task force in response to what he called an aggravation of tension on the country’s western borders, according to the state-run Belta news agency. “I’ve said already that today Ukraine …

Belarus, Ukraine ‘interconnected’; must fight together to safeguard their existence: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
2 years, 3 months ago

Belarus, Ukraine ‘interconnected’; must fight together to safeguard their existence: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

The Hindu  

The fate of Belarus and Ukraine are “interconnected,” and both countries must fight together to safeguard their very existence because Russia doesn’t view them as independent sovereign states, Belarus' Opposition leader said on September 23. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said the war in Ukraine was “extremely unexpected” and some Belarusians are especially opposed to the war “against Ukrainians, our brothers and sisters.” …

Belarus fighter jets 'ready to carry Russian nukes'
2 years, 3 months ago

Belarus fighter jets 'ready to carry Russian nukes'

The Telegraph  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday said his country’s SU-24 warplanes had been modified to carry nuclear weapons, warning that Minsk would respond immediately to any Western “escalation”. Mr Lukashenko said the modernisation of Belarus’s fighter jets had been agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Belta news agency reported. "It's not a good idea to escalate things with Belarus …

Putin says Western sanctions pushing Russia-Belarus unification
2 years, 5 months ago

Putin says Western sanctions pushing Russia-Belarus unification

Al Jazeera  

The two countries signed a treaty in support of integration in 1997, and have sped up that process in recent years. President Vladimir Putin has said that “unprecedented political and social pressure” from the West, and a raft of sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, are pushing Belarus to integrate more quickly with Russia. Last week, Russian Defence Minister …

Belarus urges Russia-led military alliance to unite against West
2 years, 7 months ago

Belarus urges Russia-led military alliance to unite against West

Al Jazeera  

Lukashenko, a key ally of Moscow, accused the West of supporting Nazi ideas and of being ‘at war with Russia’ in Ukraine. “Without a united front, the collective West will build up pressure on the post-Soviet space,” Lukashenko said, addressing President Putin and the leaders of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Sanctions imposed on Belarus have blocked $16-$18bn worth of …

Russia’s ally Belarus criticises war effort for ‘dragging on’
2 years, 7 months ago

Russia’s ally Belarus criticises war effort for ‘dragging on’

The Telegraph  

Mr Lukashenko also said only he could broker a peace deal and blamed Ukraine for slowing down negotiations. "But why is Ukraine, on whose territory a war in effect is ongoing, military action, people are dying, why is Ukraine not interested in these negotiations?" Mr Lukashenko has been one of the biggest supporters of Putin's war in Ukraine, allowing the …

Belarus doing ‘everything’ to end Ukraine war: Lukashenko
2 years, 7 months ago

Belarus doing ‘everything’ to end Ukraine war: Lukashenko

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian president says Minsk is pushing for a peace agreement but accuses Kyiv of being disinterested in talks. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says he did not expect Russia’s offensive in Ukraine to last so long and claimed he is doing “everything” to stop the more than two-month-long war. Lukashenko defended Russia’s self-described “special military operation” on Thursday and accused Kyiv …

Russia-Ukraine war: Lukashenko demands role in talks
2 years, 8 months ago

Russia-Ukraine war: Lukashenko demands role in talks

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian president says his country must be involved in talks and that there can be no deal ‘behind Belarus’s back’. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has said his country must be involved in negotiations to resolve the war in Ukraine and that he expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming days. “There can be no separate …

Who is Europe’s ‘last dictator’ Alexander Lukashenko?
2 years, 9 months ago

Who is Europe’s ‘last dictator’ Alexander Lukashenko?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Prior to open warfare erupting last week, the country’s …

Belarus votes to give up non-nuclear status
2 years, 9 months ago

Belarus votes to give up non-nuclear status

Al Jazeera  

Voters in Belarus have approved constitutional reforms that will allow the country to host nuclear weapons at a time when the former Soviet republic has become a launchpad for Russian troops invading Ukraine. It could bring nuclear weapons back on Belarusian soil for the first time since the country gave them up after the fall of the Soviet Union and …

Belarus says could host nuclear weapons if faces Western threat
2 years, 10 months ago

Belarus says could host nuclear weapons if faces Western threat

The Hindu  

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday his country could host nuclear weapons if it faces any external threats, as tensions soar between his ally Russia and the West over Ukraine. "If necessary, if such stupid and mindless steps are taken by our rivals and opponents, we will deploy not only nuclear weapons, but super-nuclear and up-and-coming ones to protect …

A hopeful sign? Despite Russian warning, Ukraine talks go on
2 years, 10 months ago

A hopeful sign? Despite Russian warning, Ukraine talks go on

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — When the U.S. and NATO rejected the Kremlin’s security demands over Ukraine last week, fears of an imminent Russian attack against its neighbor soared. “Russia will maintain a tough stand while indicating that it’s not shutting the door to talks,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, who heads the Moscow-based Council for Foreign and Defense Policies and closely follows the Kremlin …

‘Go through,’ Lukashenko tells migrants at Belarus-Poland border
3 years ago

‘Go through,’ Lukashenko tells migrants at Belarus-Poland border

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko told …

Europe’s ‘last dictator’: Who is Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko?
3 years, 1 month ago

Europe’s ‘last dictator’: Who is Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko?

Al Jazeera  

A brief history of the country’s first and only president accused of masterminding a new migration crisis. Dubbed “Europe’s last dictator” 20 years ago at a time when Putin was seen as a pro-Western political newcomer, Lukashenko is used to withstanding Western criticism and sanctions. “Lukashenko’s crisis is caused by the nullification of these factors – he still controls the …

Lukashenko warns against flare-up with Poland over border crisis
3 years, 1 month ago

Lukashenko warns against flare-up with Poland over border crisis

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian president calls for European powers to work with Minsk but Berlin rejects proposal to take in 2,000 people. President Alexander Lukashenko has said Belarus seeks no confrontation with Poland but wants European powers to work with Minsk to resolve the migration crisis along his country’s border with Poland, adding that if the crisis deteriorated “too far, war is unavoidable”. …

Lukashenko says troops may have helped refugees reach EU
3 years, 1 month ago

Lukashenko says troops may have helped refugees reach EU

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said it was “absolutely possible” his forces helped people cross into the European Union, but denied inviting them to the country. Asked if Belarus was helping refugees and migrants try and cross into Poland, Lukashenko said: “I think that’s absolutely possible. “We drank from ponds… Our people are always oppressed.” Kassam Shahadah, a Syrian refugee …

An Engineered Migration Crisis On The Belarus-Poland Border : Consider This from NPR : NPR
3 years, 1 month ago

An Engineered Migration Crisis On The Belarus-Poland Border : Consider This from NPR : NPR

NPR  

How A Dictator Engineered A Migration Crisis At The Belarus-Poland Border Enlarge this image toggle caption Oksana Manchuk/TASS via Getty Images Oksana Manchuk/TASS via Getty Images Migrants from faraway countries are stuck in Belarus, just across its border with Poland. EU leaders say Lukashenko and his backers in Russia are 'weaponizing' migration in retaliation for sanctions placed on Belarus last …

What’s Putin’s gain in the Belarus migrant crisis?
3 years, 1 month ago

What’s Putin’s gain in the Belarus migrant crisis?

Al Jazeera  

The Kremlin has shielded Lukashenko from Western ostracism and propped his economy with multibillion loans. He’s like a cornered rat, and Moscow is his only protector,” Pyotr Lysevich, a Belarusian graphic designer who fled to neighbouring Ukraine following last year’s opposition protests against Lukashenko’s sixth presidential victory, told Al Jazeera. Moscow removed bureaucratic hurdles for hundreds of thousands of Belarusian …

‘Europe’s last dictator’ raises the stakes with the West
3 years, 1 month ago

‘Europe’s last dictator’ raises the stakes with the West

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — For most of his 27 years as Belarus’ authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko’s repressions and truculent statements frequently offended the West. His disdain for democratic norms and the country’s dismal human rights record has made Belarus a pariah in the West, bringing him the sobriquet of “Europe’s last dictator.” The 67-year-old Lukashenko prefers to be styled as “Batka” — …

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