As Vladimir Putin gets desperate in Ukraine, could he force an indebted friend to send help from Belarus?
2 years, 3 months ago

As Vladimir Putin gets desperate in Ukraine, could he force an indebted friend to send help from Belarus?

ABC  

With Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, humiliated again and again on the battlefields of Ukraine, he may be preparing to cash in a favour owed to him by one of his closest allies, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Mr Lukashenko claimed that his and Putin's men are working as a "single army" prepared to "repel any aggression". However, Mr Lukashenko — the country's first and only president who earned himself the nickname "Europe's last dictator" — has not always been in lock-step with Mr Putin. Lukashenko's excuses to avoid all-out war When Mr Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine — a country he has long claimed as his own — Belarus played a key role. Mr Lukashenko's foe, Ms Tsikhanouskaya, claims the "teetering tyrant" also has a secret fear of mutiny in the ranks if he sends his men into Ukraine.

Europe Ukraine Men West Putin Russian Kremlin Reuters Ukrainian Lukashenko Vladimir Putin Mr Putin Ukrainians Vladimir His Men Belarusian Army Mr Lukashenko Ms Tsikhanouskaya Mr Cancian  putin  lukashenko  mr  russian  help  belarus  ukraine  gets  force  indebted  belarusian  army  vladimir  send  putins  men  desperate  friend

History of this topic

Lukashenko in power for 31 years: Why is Belarusian leader called 'Europe's last dictator'?
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Lukashenko in power for 31 years: Why is Belarusian leader called 'Europe's last dictator'?

Firstpost  

Alexander Lukashenko has extended his 31-year rule by winning a controversial seventh term in Belarus. File Image/Reuters Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as “Europe’s last dictator,” has ruled Belarus for over three decades. Why Lukashenko is called “Europe’s last dictator” Lukashenko’s political journey began in 1994 when he was elected as Belarus’s first president after the collapse of the Soviet …

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
7 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 …

Belarus’ top diplomat says he can’t imagine his nation entering the war in Ukraine alongside Russia
1 year, 5 months ago

Belarus’ top diplomat says he can’t imagine his nation entering the war in Ukraine alongside Russia

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The foreign minister of Belarus, which has a strategic partnership with Russia, says he cannot envision a situation where his country would enter the war in Ukraine alongside Russian forces. Sergei Aleinik said in an interview with The Associated Press that he also can’t imagine a situation where Russia would order his country to use the tactical …

Putin not pushing Belarus to join Ukraine war, Lukashenko says
1 year, 7 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 …

Putin, Lukashenko to meet after Russia warns about aggression against Belarus
1 year, 8 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 …

Lukashenko reveals the astonishing conversations he had at the weekend with Prigozhin
1 year, 8 months ago

Lukashenko reveals the astonishing conversations he had at the weekend with Prigozhin

Daily Mail  

Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko has revealed the astonishing conversations he had at the weekend with Yevgeny Prigozhin, noting that Vladimir Putin was furious that the Wagner chief wouldn't take his calls during the brief uprising. Lukashenko warned Prigozhin that the Kremlin would never fulfill his demand to oust Russian defence miniter Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, General …

Belarus role in Russia-Wagner feud ‘boosts Lukashenko’s clout’
1 year, 8 months ago

Belarus role in Russia-Wagner feud ‘boosts Lukashenko’s clout’

Al Jazeera  

President Alexander Lukashenko has trumpeted his ‘peacekeeping’ role in quelling the Wagner mercenary group’s rebellion in Russia, raising questions about his motives. So when Lukashenko’s press service on Saturday night trumpeted his “peacekeeping” role in quelling the Wagner private army’s rebellion in neighbouring Russia, the biggest question was: What’s in it for him? “If Prigozhin stays in Belarus and manages …

Putin's back was against the wall as his old friend Prigozhin advanced. Then 'Europe's last dictator' Alexander Lukashenko stepped in
1 year, 8 months ago

Putin's back was against the wall as his old friend Prigozhin advanced. Then 'Europe's last dictator' Alexander Lukashenko stepped in

ABC  

For the briefest moment, it looked like Vladimir Putin's back was against the wall. Belarus's only president, Alexander Lukashenko, has earned himself the nickname "Europe's last dictator" after three decades in power. "Putin and Lukashenko do not get along," Emily Ferris, a Russia expert for the Royal United Services Institute, said. Entirely dependent on Putin's support to stay in office, …

Belarus leader Lukashenko’s purported mediation in Kremlin crisis stretches credibility to the limit
1 year, 8 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 …

Lukashenko health rumours swirl amid claim he was hospitalised after meeting Putin
1 year, 9 months ago

Lukashenko health rumours swirl amid claim he was hospitalised after meeting Putin

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. Valery Tsepkalo, a 2020 Belarusian presidential candidate and opposition …

This woman could have stopped Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine. Now she's in exile and a jail sentence awaits her in Belarus
1 year, 11 months ago

This woman could have stopped Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine. Now she's in exile and a jail sentence awaits her in Belarus

ABC  

It's the European country that jails journalists, presidential candidates and human rights activists, including last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski. "In 2020, Lukashenko managed to stay in power only thanks to violence and thanks to the support of Putin and he had to show his loyalty," Ms Tsikhanouskaya says. Exiled Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya holds a picture of her husband …

Ukraine says Russia 'took Belarus as a nuclear hostage'
1 year, 11 months ago

Ukraine says Russia 'took Belarus as a nuclear hostage'

Deccan Chronicle  

Ukraine: Kyiv on Sunday said Russia was holding Minsk as a "nuclear hostage" after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to ally Belarus. "The Kremlin took Belarus as a nuclear hostage," the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, Oleksiy Danilov, wrote on Twitter. On Saturday, Putin said he and strongman Alexander Lukashenko "agreed" …

Belarus will join Ukraine offensive only if attacked: Lukashenko
2 years, 1 month ago

Belarus will join Ukraine offensive only if attacked: Lukashenko

Firstpost  

Minsk: President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Belarus would join the offensives in Ukraine “only if attacked” first by Kyiv’s army. “I’m ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus in one case only: if so much as one soldier from comes to our territory with a gun to kill my people,” the veteran strongman told …

Lukashenko: Belarus willing to offer more help to Russia
2 years, 1 month 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 …

Lukashenko: Belarus willing to offer more help to Russia
2 years, 1 month ago

Lukashenko: Belarus willing to offer more help to Russia

Associated Press  

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that his country is willing to offer more assistance to close ally Russia in its war against Ukraine. “However, if our Russian brothers need help, we are always ready to offer such assistance,” he said on a state visit to the southern African nation of Zimbabwe — which is also close …

Putin on 'extremely difficult situation' as Ukraine seeks end to war: Top 10
2 years, 3 months 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 says situation in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine 'extremely difficult'
2 years, 3 months ago

Vladimir Putin says situation in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine 'extremely difficult'

ABC  

Vladimir Putin says the situation in four areas of Ukraine which Moscow claims as Russian territory is "extremely difficult". Key points: Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked for weapons and shells to "speed up the end to this war" Vladimir Putin is in Belarus, a close Russian ally bordering Ukraine He and the Belarusian leader dismissed claims Russia wants to "absorb" Belarus …

Putin meets dictator Lukashenko in Belarus fuelling fears ally will join new offensive in Ukraine
2 years, 3 months ago

Putin meets dictator Lukashenko in Belarus fuelling fears ally will join new offensive in Ukraine

Daily Mail  

It comes after Russia's military suffered a series of defeats on the battlefield The visit fuelled fears in Kyiv that the Russian President intends to pressure Belarus to join a fresh ground offensive, opening a new front against Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin met dictator Alexander Lukashenko today during a rare visit to Belarus, fuelling fears in Kyiv that he …

Vladimir Putin heads for Belarus amid fears of new assault on Ukraine
2 years, 3 months 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 …

Putin says Western sanctions pushing Russia-Belarus unification
2 years, 8 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 …

Volunteers who fled authorities in Belarus fight for Ukraine in hopes it will help change things in their homeland
2 years, 10 months ago

Volunteers who fled authorities in Belarus fight for Ukraine in hopes it will help change things in their homeland

ABC  

One is a restaurateur who fled Belarus when he learned he was about to be arrested for criticising President Alexander Lukashenko. Key points: Mr Lukashenko has stood by his ally Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling Mr Putin his "big brother" After Mr Lukashenko was elected to a sixth term in elections seen as fraudulent, massive street protests were met with …

Belarus urges Russia-led military alliance to unite against West
2 years, 10 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 …

Will Belarus, Russia’s key ally, join Putin’s war in Ukraine?
3 years ago

Will Belarus, Russia’s key ally, join Putin’s war in Ukraine?

Al Jazeera  

Analysts say President Lukashenko’s forces may spearhead the Russian advance on western Ukrainian regions. Vinnytsia, Ukraine – When Belarus, Russia’s oldest and staunchest post-Soviet ally, evacuated its embassy from the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Saturday, the ambassador received a humiliating “gift”. “Understandably, Putin thinks that if the capital is taken, the matter will be solved at once and in principle.” …

Belarusian military could ‘soon’ join war in Ukraine, US and NATO officials say
3 years ago

Belarusian military could ‘soon’ join war in Ukraine, US and NATO officials say

CNN  

Washington CNN — The US and NATO believe that Belarus could “soon” join Russia in its war against Ukraine, US and NATO officials tell CNN, and that the country is already taking steps to do so. A senior NATO intelligence official said separately that the alliance assesses that the Belarusian government “is preparing the environment to justify a Belarusian offensive …

Ukraine claims Belarus troops have crossed border after Lukashenko denied plans to join Putin’s war
3 years ago

Ukraine claims Belarus troops have crossed border after Lukashenko denied plans to join Putin’s war

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. Shortly after the Ukrainian parliament tweeted, Mr Lukashenko said …

Belarus votes to give up non-nuclear status
3 years 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 …

Ukraine: Belarus says its troops could support Russian invasion ‘if needed’
3 years ago

Ukraine: Belarus says its troops could support Russian invasion ‘if needed’

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 president Alexander Lukashenko has …

Checkmate. Putin has the West cornered
3 years, 3 months ago

Checkmate. Putin has the West cornered

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Michael Bociurkiw is a global affairs analyst and a former spokesman for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. CNN — As 2022 nears, the West is trying to figure out Russian President Vladimir Putin’s next move on a complex geopolitical chessboard – and preparing an “aggressive package” of sanctions, should he decide to make another land …

What’s Putin’s gain in the Belarus migrant crisis?
3 years, 4 months 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 …

Putin, Lukashenko agree to deepen economic ties amid sanctions
3 years, 6 months ago

Putin, Lukashenko agree to deepen economic ties amid sanctions

Al Jazeera  

Russia and Belarus on Thursday agreed to tighter coordination in economic policy, but stopped short of a common currency. President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian ally agreed to closer economic ties and new loans from Moscow, as the Kremlin moved to capitalize on Alexander Lukashenko’s international isolation. Started three years ago, the integration talks had stalled amid reluctance by Belarus …

They wanted democracy for Belarus. Instead they say they were beaten and raped by police
4 years ago

They wanted democracy for Belarus. Instead they say they were beaten and raped by police

CNN  

Kiev, Ukraine – Sergei stood on a small sheet of ice in the Dnieper River and breathed in the icy air hard. “The feeling is indescribable, and I am all alone here.” Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians attended mass protests across the country last year following Lukashenko’s declaration of victory in the August vote. After being presented with a summary …

Russia’s Putin hosts Belarusian president for talks in Sochi
4 years, 1 month ago

Russia’s Putin hosts Belarusian president for talks in Sochi

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko for talks on Monday, amid media reports suggesting that the leader of Belarus was coming to Russia to secure another loan. Earlier this month, the Kommersant newspaper cited government sources saying that another loan, this time of over $3 billion, would be discussed during Lukashenko’s visit to Russia. …

UK, Canada impose sanctions on Belarus’s Lukashenko
4 years, 5 months ago

UK, Canada impose sanctions on Belarus’s Lukashenko

Al Jazeera  

Sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko are the first to be implemented by major Western powers over the crisis in Belarus. The United Kingdom and Canada have imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and other senior officials over accusations their government rigged an election and committed violence against protesters. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said …

Belarus leader visits Putin to secure support amid protests
4 years, 6 months ago

Belarus leader visits Putin to secure support amid protests

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Belarus’ authoritarian president visited Russia on Monday in a bid to secure more loans and political support, as demonstrations against the extension of his 26-year rule entered their sixth week. President Alexander Lukashenko’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi came a day after an estimated 150,000 people flooded the streets of …

Putin faces tough choice on Belarus: How to sort out Lukashenko without conceding ground
4 years, 6 months ago

Putin faces tough choice on Belarus: How to sort out Lukashenko without conceding ground

CNN  

CNN — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited Sochi in southwest Russia on Monday for one-on-one talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking reassurances of Russia’s support after weeks of protests in Belarus. In televised remarks on Monday, Lukashenko said that “recent events showed us that we need to stay close to our big brother and cooperate more closely on all …

Putin says Russia has set up force to aid Belarus leader if needed
4 years, 6 months ago

Putin says Russia has set up force to aid Belarus leader if needed

The Hindu  

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday the Kremlin had set up a police force to support Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko at his request, although it would not be deployed unless unrest there spun out of control. The remarks were the strongest signal yet that Russia is prepared to use force if needed in Belarus, where mass demonstrations have taken …

Putin: Russian forces ready to enter Belarus to end protests
4 years, 6 months ago

Putin: Russian forces ready to enter Belarus to end protests

Al Jazeera  

Russian leader says Lukashenko asked him to prepare a Russian law enforcement contingent to deploy to Belarus if needed. Putin told Russia’s state television that Lukashenko has asked him to prepare a Russian law enforcement contingent to deploy to Belarus if necessary. In an apparent jab at the West, which has condemned Lukashenko’s crackdown on protesters and urged him to …

Belarus protests continue as Alexander Lukashenko says Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed to help secure the country
4 years, 7 months ago

Belarus protests continue as Alexander Lukashenko says Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed to help secure the country

ABC  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he secured a pledge in a phone call with President Vladimir Putin for Russia to provide comprehensive assistance if needed to ensure the security of his troubled country. Key points: Russia sees Belarus as a strategic buffer against NATO and the EU Russia recently scaled back subsidies that propped up Mr Lukashenko's government The EU …

Belarus says it’s arrested Russian mercenaries, as rift grows between strongmen Putin and Lukashenko
4 years, 7 months ago

Belarus says it’s arrested Russian mercenaries, as rift grows between strongmen Putin and Lukashenko

CNN  

Moscow CNN — Authorities in Belarus have announced the arrest of 33 Russian mercenaries on suspicion of terrorism,accused of trying “to destabilize” the country ahead of August’s presidential election, the state-run news agency Belta reported. Belarusian law enforcement agencies said Wednesday they had received information about more than 200 militants arriving in Belarus and detained over 33 people identified as …

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