Belarus

Belarus’ Lukashenko says demands for Wagner to withdraw ‘groundless and stupid’

Aug 31 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that demands for the withdrawal of Russia's Wagner mercenary group from Belarus were "groundless and stupid", Belarusian state news agency BELTA…

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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 denies helicopter violation as Poland rushes troops to border

By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland said it was rushing troops to its eastern border after accusing Belarus, Russia's closest ally, of violating its airspace with military helicopters. …

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Poland warns Belarus-EU borders may be closed if Wagner group incidents happen

WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland, Lithuania and Latvia could jointly decide to shut their borders with close Russian ally Belarus if there are serious incidents involving the Wagner group along their…

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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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UPDATED: Putin hosts Lukashenko, says Ukraine counter-offensive has failed

July 23 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine's counteroffensive "has failed" as he hosted Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, his close ally, for talks in St Petersburg on Sunday.…

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UPDATED: Putin says Moscow would regard any aggression against Belarus as attack on Russia

MOSCOW, July 21 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused NATO member Poland of having territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union, and said any aggression against Russia's neighbour…

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Poland to move soldiers to east of country due to Wagner

WARSAW, July 21 (Reuters) - Poland has decided to move military formations from the west to the east of the country due to possible threats related to the Wagner Group's…

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Ukraine, Poland say Wagner fighters arrive in Belarus

July 16 (Reuters) - Fighters from the Wagner group have arrived in Belarus from Russia, Ukrainian and Polish officials said on Saturday, a day after Minsk said the mercenaries were training the…

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Poland to send 500 police to bolster security at Belarus border

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland said on Sunday it will send 500 police to shore up security at its border with Belarus to cope with rising numbers of migrants crossing as well…

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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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East Europe NATO allies say Wagner troops in Belarus spell trouble

By Anthony Deutsch THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Eastern European NATO countries warned that a move of Wagner's Russian mercenary troops to Belarus would create greater regional instability, but NATO Secretary…

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Russia mum on number of nuclear warheads in Belarus

(Reuters) - Russia will not inform the U.S. about the number of nuclear warheads it is stationing in Belarus or tests of its nuclear-capable Poseidon torpedo, the Interfax news agency…

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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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Putin says Russia positions nuclear bombs in Belarus as warning to West

By Andrew Osborn Putin confirms Russian nuclear warheads in Belarus Says more will be delivered by end of the year Says Moscow sees no need to use nuclear weapons for…

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Britain steps up sanctions against Belarus for its support of Russia

LONDON, June 8 (Reuters) - Britain announced a new sanctions package against Belarus on Thursday for its role in facilitating Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including import bans and new measures…

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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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Belarus official: West left us no choice but to deploy nuclear arms

Western countries left Belarus no choice but to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons and had better take heed not to "cross red lines" on key strategic issues, a senior Belarusian…

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Don’t lecture us on nuclear deployments, Russia tells US

By Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW, (Reuters) - Russia on Saturday dismissed criticism from U.S. President Joe Biden over Moscow's plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, saying Washington had for…

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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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U.S. adds Belarus, Bulgaria to intellectual property watch list

By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Trade Representative's office added Belarus to an intellectual property rights watch list over a new law allowing the unauthorized use of copyrighted…

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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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What did Putin say on tactical nuclear weapons and Belarus?

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Russia has struck a deal with neighbouring Belarus to station tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. Here are his key…

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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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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 leader Lukashenko says he had long chat with Putin on war anniversary

Feb 25 (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he held a long conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, the one-year anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.…

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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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UPDATED: Belarus says Poland closing border crossing point is ‘catastrophic’ decision

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Belarus on Friday slammed a decision by Poland to close a border checkpoint between the two countries as "catastrophic", saying it could lead to a "collapse"…

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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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Russia-Belarus to conduct ‘defensive’ air drills, sparking fear in Kyiv of new offensive in Ukraine

Russia-Belarus conduct joint air drills Jan. 16-Feb. 1 Minsk says drills defensive, Kyiv fears new offensive Russia used Belarus as springboard for Ukraine invasion At least 30 dead after Russian…

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Fears of migrant deaths rise after bodies found in eastern Poland

WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish officials searched wetlands on the border with Belarus on Friday after three bodies were found in an area where thousands of migrants from the Middle East…

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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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