Belarus

Lukashenko opponents unite, plan ‘New Belarus’ passports

By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska WARSAW (Reuters) - Exiled opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko met in Poland on Sunday, on the eve of the third anniversary of their unsuccessful post-election protests, to…

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Belarus arms emergency ministry to be ready in case of armed conflict

(Reuters) - The Belarusian ministry of emergency situations is completing the arming and military training of its personnel to be ready to aid the defence and internal ministries in the…

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Belarus leader says nuclear arms will not be used

(Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin's staunchest ally in its war in Ukraine, said he was certain Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed in his country would never be…

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Belarus leader, long the supplicant, feted in Russia after mutiny role

By Andrew Osborn LONDON, (Reuters) - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is usually the one thanking Russia's Vladimir Putin or asking him for a favour - be it a loan, cheap…

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Russian ally Belarus starts ‘mobilisation exercises’

June 21 (Reuters) - Belarus, an ally of Russia in the war with Ukraine, said on Wednesday that its armed forces were beginning 10 days of annual "mobilisation exercises". The…

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Deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus not time-limited – senior Russian diplomat

MOSCOW, June 19 (Reuters) - Russia's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is not time-limited, state news agency TASS quoted a senior Russian diplomat on Monday as saying. Russia…

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Belarus starts taking delivery of Russian nuclear weapons – president

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said his country has started taking delivery of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, some of which he said were three times more powerful than the atomic…

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Belarus art festival could renew pressure on Poland’s border

WARSAW (Reuters) - A visa waiver for participants of an art festival in Belarus in July could serve as a gateway for migrants and renew pressure on Poland's eastern border,…

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Belarus’s Lukashenko says there can be ‘nuclear weapons for everyone’

May 29 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that if any other country wanted to join a Russia-Belarus union there could be "nuclear weapons for everyone." Russia moved ahead…

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Russia deploys tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

Russia inks deal with Belarus on nuclear weapons storage Belarus leader Lukashenko says weapons on the move Washington denounces planned deployment of Russian arms By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW, (Reuters) -…

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Belarus leader appears in public, denies reports of serious illness

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko appeared in public on Tuesday and dismissed talk he was seriously ill, telling officials, "I'm not going to die, guys," according to a video shown by…

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Belarus accused of role in transfers of Ukrainian children

The Belarusian government has allegedly taken part in the illegal deportation of children from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, exiled Belarusian opposition leaders said in a preliminary report. The National Anti-Crisis…

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Belarus PM replaces Lukashenko at ceremony, sparks speculation

May 14 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has not been seen in public since Tuesday, did not appear on Sunday at a ceremony in the capital, Minsk, triggering speculation that…

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Belarus leader says he wants guarantees that Russia will defend his country if it is attacked

MOSCOW, April 10 (Reuters) - Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, told Russia's defence minister on Monday that he wanted guarantees that Moscow would defend his country if it was…

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Father of Russian girl who drew anti-war pictures held in Belarus

MOSCOW, April 7 (Reuters) - Alexei Moskalyov, a Russian man who was charged with discrediting the country's army after his daughter drew an anti-war picture, is being held in Belarus,…

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Putin and Lukashenko to meet in Moscow on April 5-6 – Kremlin

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko will travel to Moscow on Wednesday for two days of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week…

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Russia to place nuclear weapons near Belarus’ borders with NATO

April 3 (Reuters) - Russia will move its tactical nuclear weapons close to the western borders of Belarus, the Russian envoy to Minsk said on Sunday, placing them at NATO's…

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Lukashenko says Belarus needs Russian nuclear arms as he warns of ‘invasion’

March 31 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that he had intensified talks with Russia about deploying tactical nuclear weapons in his country, alleging there were plans…

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Belarus accuses Poland of causing long delays at EU border

Belarus on Monday accused Poland of causing long delays at its border with the European Union by slowing the movement of trucks, alleging that Warsaw was failing to implement bilateral…

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UN report says Belarus rights abuses may amount to ‘crime against humanity’

GENEVA, March 17 (Reuters) - U.N. rights experts accused Belarus of systematic abuses, including the repression of protesters and dissidents that could amount to crimes against humanity, in a report…

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Paris mayor vows to keep Russian, Belarusian athletes out of Olympics

The Mayor of Paris said it was unthinkable that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed to take part in the 2024 Summer Olympics under their national flags, adding she…

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Belarus approves death penalty for officials convicted of high treason

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a law on Thursday allowing for the use of the death penalty against officials and army servicemen convicted of high treason, his office said. Belarus,…

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Belarus detains ‘terrorist’ behind attempted sabotage at air base – Lukashenko

Belarus detained on Tuesday what it said was a "terrorist" and more than 20 accomplices working with Ukrainian and U.S. intelligence services over attempted sabotage at a Belarusian air field,…

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Belarus court sentences exiled opposition leader to 15 years in prison

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was handed a 15-year jail term on Monday after being convicted in absentia for treason and "conspiracy to seize power", a verdict she said was punishment…

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Belarus court jails Nobel Peace Prize winner Bialiatski for 10 years

This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine MOSCOW, March 3 (Reuters) - A court in Belarus on Friday sentenced Nobel…

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Belarus says it has 1.5 mln potential soldiers outside armed forces

Feb 26 (Reuters) - Belarus, a small Russian ally bordering Ukraine, has as many as 1.5 million potential military personnel outside its armed forces, a senior official was quoted as saying on…

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Belarus stepping up its aggressive rhetoric, to form 100,000-150,000 strong volunteer military force

A senior Ukrainian presidential aide said on Tuesday Belarus was stepping up "aggressive and militaristic rhetoric" ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion, but that Kyiv saw no imminent…

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Belarus says Ukraine army groups massed at border, risking its security

Belarus said on Tuesday that there was a significant grouping of Ukrainian troops massed near its border and warned that this posed a threat to its security. "At present, a…

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Belarus will only fight with Russia if it is attacked

Belarus will only fight with Russia if another country decides to launch an attack on it, its president said today. "I am ready to fight with the Russians from the…

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Belarus says it is now operating Russian Iskander missiles autonomously

(Reuters) - Belarus said that its armed forces were now in autonomous control of Russian-supplied nuclear-capable Iskander mobile guided missile systems after completing training in Russia as well as exercises…

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Belarus leader says he has been asked to seal a non-aggression pact with Ukraine

(Reuters) - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said that he had been asked to conclude a non-aggression pact with Ukraine, the Belta state news agency reported, citing comments that suggested he…

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U.S. imposes visa restrictions over opposition trials in Belarus

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States imposed visa restrictions on 25 people including lawmakers for undermining democracy in Belarus with politically motivated trials such as that of exiled opposition leader…

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Belarus puts exiled opposition leader on trial on treason charges

Belarus put exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on trial in absentia on treason charges on Tuesday, in what the outspoken critic of veteran leader Alexander Lukashenko said would be a "farce…

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Russia says Belarus may enter Ukraine conflict if ‘invaded’

Jan 13 (Reuters) - A Russian foreign ministry official said on Friday that Belarus may enter the conflict in Ukraine if Kyiv decides to "invade" either country. Russia used Belarus…

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Belarus detains former presidential candidate

Jan 12 (Reuters) - An opposition politician who stood against long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko in the controversial 2020 presidential election has been detained, his team said. Andrei Dmitriev, 41, an…

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Belarus strengthens military ties with Russia

(Reuters) - Belarus's defence ministry said that joint Russian-Belarusian air defence forces had been reinforced, with new missile units moved into position. "Anti-aircraft missile units advanced to designated areas and…

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EU pledges new sanctions against Belarus over support for Russia, von der Leyen says

The European Union will impose new sanctions on Belarus as it keeps up the pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine and extends measures to those countries that…

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Belarusian Opposition Leader Sees Signs Of Possible Mobilization

A Belarusian opposition leader says Belarusian authorities may soon begin a mobilization to provide military assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Pavel Latushka, who is based in Warsaw,…

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Digital piracy against ‘unfriendly countries’ legalised in Belarus

In Belarus, digital piracy against “unfriendly countries” has been reportedly legalised. The new law allows the use of digital materials without the consent of foreign copyright holders, the Russian editorial…

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Belarus puts Nobel Prize-winning rights defender on trial

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Byalyatski went on trial in Belarus on Thursday, facing up to 12 years in jail in a case his allies see…

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Belarus to beef up joint military grouping with Russia

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Belarus and Russia continue to build up a joint military grouping in Belarus and are preparing joint air force exercises, the Belarusian Defence Ministry said on…

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Belarus says Russia-deployed Iskander missile systems ready for use

(Reuters) - The Iskander tactical missile systems and the S-400 air defence systems that Russia has deployed to Belarus are fully prepared to perform their intended tasks, a senior Belarusian…

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Belarus’s Lukashenko dismisses ‘conspiracy theories’ about manoeuvres

Dec 22 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that recent military manoeuvres were not aimed at Ukraine and dismissed "conspiracy theories" about deployments of Belarusian armed forces…

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Belarus restricts access to parts of region bordering Ukraine, Russia

(Reuters) - Belarus issued a ruling temporarily restricting access to parts of the southeastern Gomel region that borders Ukraine and Russia. The government said on its website it would "temporarily…

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Putin says Russia does not want to absorb anyone after talks with Belarus’ Lukashenko

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a joint press conference in Minsk with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday, said that Russia does not want to "absorb" anyone, and that…

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Belarus puts southern military unit on alert in large-scale readiness exercise

(Reuters) - Russia's close ally Belarus announced a snap military inspection on Tuesday including increased combat readiness in the south of the country, the latest in a burst of exercises…

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Flurry of military activity in Belarus stirs concern in Ukraine

KYIV (Reuters) - Constant Belarusian and Russian military activity in Belarus has stirred concerns that a new attack on neighbouring Ukraine could be possible in the coming months. Russia used…

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Belarus central bank to remove euro from currency basket weightings

Dec 8 (Reuters) - Belarus' central bank said on Thursday it will remove the euro from its currency basket used to calculate the official exchange rate for the Belarusian' rouble.…

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Russian troops take part in tactical drills in Belarus

MOSCOW, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday its troops were taking part in tactical exercises in Belarus, amid fears that Moscow is pressing its ally to get more…

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Eyes on Russia’s ally Belarus as Ukraine’s neighbour moves troops

By Tom Balmforth KYIV, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Russia's ally Belarus said on Wednesday it was moving troops and military hardware to counteract what it called a threat of terrorism, amid signs…

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Belarus foreign minister Makei dies – Belta

(Reuters) - Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has died at the age of 64, state news agency Belta reported on Saturday. "Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has passed away suddenly," Belta…

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Ukraine builds wall on border with Belarus – presidential adviser

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine said on Friday it was building a reinforced concrete wall and other fortifications on its border with Belarus, a close Kremlin ally that Moscow used as…

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Belarus takes legal action against senior opposition figures

Belarus has launched legal proceedings against senior opposition figures including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The Investigative Committee of Belarus, a state-run law enforcement body, accused Tsikhanouskaya and other opposition figures of, among…

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Russian air force patrols ally Belarus’ borders

Oct 20 (Reuters) - Russia's air force held scheduled patrol flights at the borders of its ally Belarus on Thursday, Minsk said, as concerns remain that it could take a…

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Lukashenko orders purge in security service after senior officer flees Belarus

Belarus’ strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko has launched a massive purge of potential “traitors” after a high-ranking officer of the country's KGB security agency escaped to the European Union. Lukashenko has ordered…

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Belarus says it is unable to pay off debt due to sanctions

Oct 19 (Reuters) - Belarus said on Wednesday it was unable to repay its foreign currency-denominated debt due to sanctions imposed on it by the European Union and the United…

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Belarus to hold live-fire exercises with Russia

The Belarusian defence ministry said on Monday it will conduct live fire exercises and anti-aircraft guided missile launches as part of its joint grouping with Russian forces, Interfax reported. "Military units from the formations…

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