Section: Belarus Digest (Belarus)
Belarus refuses to support Russia over Crimea issue at the UN
Kolya Lukashenka and Vladimir Makei at the UN Efforts of the Belarusian diplomacy at the main part of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly at the end of 2015 brought mixed results. Alexander Lukashenka’s statements during the high-level segments of the session went largely unnoticed. Belarusian diplomats did rather well on the issues...
Is Belarusian Government About to Close Down the Ukrainian Border?
Image: realbrest.by On 16 December, President Lukashenka requested that Belarusian security agencies not neglect the consequences which the situation in Ukraine created for Belarus. He referred to the recent case of a former Donbas war veteran detained with weapons and explosives at the railway station in Minsk. Meanwhile, the Belarusian State...
Top 10 Most Read Articles on Belarus Digest in 2015
In 2015 Belarus Digest published over 300 articles. Today we analysed statistics and selected the most read articles published this year. They cover a range of issues – from tourism, the role of Belarus in the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria to presidential elections and visa-free travel. Most of the popular articles in 2015 dealt with...
EU to Double Assistance to Belarus – Belarus Foreign Policy Digest
Vladimir Makei with EU foreign ministers in Brussels Belarus’ relations with Europe have found a new lease of life after the suspension of the EU sanctions against Minsk. The EU’s intends to double its financial assistance to Belarus in 2016. The removal …read more Source: Belarus...
Mercenaries in Ukraine, Tourism Declines – State Press Digest
Fighters from Belarus on Ukrainian side. Photo: svoboda.org The Belarusian authorities threaten mercenaries originating from Belarus who participate in the Ukraine conflict with large prison terms. Belarusians cancel their New Year tourist plans because of terror attacks at popular tourist destinations. The trade ministry tries to regulate the...
How Belarus Disappointed Russia in Ukraine and Syria
New Ukrainian Armoured Vehicle Designed with Belarus Help. Image: Ukraine Ministry of Internal Affairs Minsk consistently avoids supporting Moscow in Ukraine and Syria. To put it mildly. After all, on 7 December, Ukrainian Internal Minister Avakov inaugurated the new Ukrainian armoured vehicle Varta designed in cooperation with “Belarusian...
Christmas Price Freeze, Russian Food Embargo, Cheap Schengen Visas – Belarus State Press Digest
Belarus rejects accusations from Ukraine officials claiming that it has joined the Russian food embargo against Ukraine. Visa facilitation between the EU and Belarusan is likely to succeed, but the extent of the programme will depend on Belarus’ commitment to reform. The Belarusian agricultural sector suffers from lobbyists who constantly...
Wars in Syria and Ukraine Make Belarus More Important
After the Turkish downing of a Russian aircraft in Syria last month, Minsk refused to join Moscow in its accusations and recriminations against Ankara. It just lamented what happened between its “Russian ally” and “friendly Turkey.” Needless to say Minsk has also not supported any of the Russians sanctions imposed on Turkey. Belarusian state...
Sanctions Suspended, Belarusian Airlines, Warsaw Conference – Ostrogorski Centre Digest
Image: Polish Institute of International Affairs In the past month, Belarus’s authorities have continued to benefit from balancing between east and west. The EU suspended sanctions against Belarus in response to the nonviolent presidential election, and in the east Belarus continues to enjoy the benefits of Russia-Ukraine tensions. Ihar...
Belarusian Satellite, Multiple Rocket Launchers, Nuclear Plant – State Press Digest
Belarus leaders develop closer defence industry cooperation with China and do not want a Russian airbase on their territory. Although Belarus has no alternative to integration with Russia in the foreseeable future, the two countries different economic models and the ideas vacuum in Eurasian integration make integration with Russia a challenging...
