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'Good physical training'

Belarus Strongman Says Pupils Should Harvest Potatoes

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who once touted vodka and saunas to ward off Covid-19, said on Monday that schoolchildren in the ex-Soviet...

Ukraine War Must End To Prevent Nuclear ‘Abyss,’ Lukashenko Tells AFP

The Belarusian leader insisted that Kyiv authorities can end the war if they re-start talks with Moscow and accept its demands.

extended timeline

Russia’s War in Ukraine Is ‘Dragging On,' Belarus Leader Admits

Lukashenko claimed Belarus is “doing everything now so that there isn’t a war.”

'No separate agreements'

Belarusian President Demands Role in Talks on Ukraine 'War'

Lukashenko complained that last month's talks in Istanbul were the result of "pressure from the west on Ukraine, not to go to Belarus at any cost."

FORMAL RECOGNITION

Lukashenko Says Crimea is Russian, Will Visit Peninsula With Putin

The Belarus strongman had previously been non-committal over his position regarding the status of Crimea.

lack of contact

Belarus Leader Says EU Refusing to Discuss Migrants

Lukashenko said Germany's Angela Merkel promised him that Brussels would discuss the fate of the 2,000 migrants stranded in Belarus.

Belarus Warns Against New EU Sanctions, Says Could Cut Gas

Russia's Yamal-Europe gas pipeline transits through Belarus on its way to EU members Poland and Germany.

Russia’s Aeroflot Denies Transporting Migrants to Belarus

Russia has hit back at accusations it has played a role in the migrant crisis on the Belarus-Poland border.

Putin, Lukashenko Discuss Migrant Stand-Off on Poland-Belarus Border

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki later accused Putin of orchestrating the unprecedented wave of migrants trying to enter Poland from Belarus.

'BROTHERLY PEOPLE'

Putin Vows to Back Lukashenko Against 'Interference'

Putin hailed the bilateral ties between Russia and Belarus and promised Moscow's continued backing for the increasingly isolated Lukashenko.

'EXTREMIST' CONTENT

Belarus to Recognize Banned Media Outlets’ Readers as 'Extremist'

Initial reports that Belarusians could be imprisoned for subscribing to banned media outlets were later disputed.

Minsk Extends House Arrest for Detained Russian Girlfriend of Dissident Blogger

Russian citizen Sofia Sapega, 23, was arrested in May after Minsk forced a Ryanair flight to make an emergency landing.

financial isolation

Belarus Leader Hits Out as U.S., U.K. Levy New Sanctions

London pointed to "the continued undermining of democracy and human rights violations" by Belarus' leaders.

deflecting criticism

Belarus Leader Denies Violent Crackdown on Critics

Lukashenko spoke on the one-year anniversary of a contested election that was followed by a harsh crackdown on the opposition.

Belarus Olympic Athlete 'Happy to be in Safety' in Poland

The athlete has been at the center of a diplomatic drama after she publicly criticized her coaches.

Belarus Olympic Athlete Stops Over in Vienna Before Poland Refuge

Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya said she feared for her life if she was forced to return home after criticizing her coaches.

'We were waiting for this'

Belarus Jails Students and Raids Media in Crackdown

Authorities in the ex-Soviet country are in the midst of a months-long effort to crush Belarus's remaining pockets of dissent.

opinion Ilya Klishin

The Dilemma of the Great Terror: How to Report Roman Protasevich’s 'Confession'?

Roman Protasevich's "interview" — which bears resemblance to Stalin's infamous show trials — presents a challenge for journalists covering it.

Putin-Lukashenko Meeting

Putin, Lukashenko to Meet After Belarus Plane Diversion

The meeting in Sochi comes as airlines revealed Russia has blocked some European flights for avoiding Belarus airspace.

Legal Wrangling

Belarus Plane Diversion Raises Legal Questions

Belarus has been widely accused of air piracy, but the legal situation is murkier than it sounds.

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