Belarus

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis argues that the EU needs new tools to address weaponized migration, citing events in Ceuta and past incidents in Greece, Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia as examples of migration being used as a geopolitical tool. He emphasizes the inadequacy of the current Migration and Asylum Pact in handling scenarios where migration is deliberately amplified to test European resilience.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has spurred growth in Baltic defense startups, which are developing drone and battlefield technologies for Ukraine and NATO allies. Entrepreneurs note increased innovation and cooperation, enhancing regional resilience against threats from Russia and Belarus.

Belarus is forming a new airborne brigade near Ukraine in the Gomel region, approximately 40 kilometers from the border. SOF Commander Alexander Ilyukevich announced the 37th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade is recruiting, with one battalion already established and additional units being formed. The brigade will add to Belarus's three existing airborne units.

Latvia temporarily suspended border crossings with Belarus due to an information system failure at the Pāternieki checkpoint. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava advised travelers to use alternative routes, and CERT.LV confirmed no evidence of a cyberattack or external interference.

The Belarusian regime under Alexander Lukashenko has labeled the Polish Press Agency (PAP) website as 'extremist', a move criticized by Belarusian opposition figures.

Europe is concerned about increased Belarusian involvement in the war in Ukraine. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a 'Victory Day' military parade in Moscow on May 9, 2026.

Lithuania's foreign ministry proposed sanctions to bar Russian and Belarusian supporters of the war against Ukraine from entering the country and restrict their property purchases near strategic facilities.

Ukraine continues to strengthen its border with Belarus with anti-drone netting, razor wire, and anti-tank barriers, years after Russia launched its invasion from there. Tensions recently rose over Russian communications relay stations in Belarus, which Ukraine demanded be shut down, and Belarus complied, easing rhetoric between the nations.

Ukraine is still fortifying its border with Belarus more than four years after Russia used the country to launch its assault on Kyiv.

Ukraine continues to fortify its border with Belarus with minefields, anti-drone netting, and anti-tank barriers four years after Russia's invasion began from there. Recent tensions involved Ukraine demanding Belarus remove Russian communication relay stations, which Belarus complied with, easing rhetoric between the nations.

Ukraine continues to fortify its border with Belarus with anti-drone netting, razor wire, and anti-tank barriers over four years after Russia launched its invasion from there. Recent tensions eased after Belarus removed Russian communication stations, but Ukrainian officials remain focused on strengthening defenses due to Belarus's status as Russia's closest military ally.

Belarus warned Poland that a disgruntled Belarusian, whose Polish residency was recently revoked, is plotting a terrorist attack against an activist’s children. Despite strained relations between the two countries, Poland has stated it is taking the warning seriously.

The EU will prohibit Belarusian nationals and residents from owning, controlling, or managing exchanges and other MiCA-regulated crypto firms starting Aug. 25. The ban extends to all crypto service providers under EU regulations.

Belarus is central in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine due to its borders and President Alexander Lukashenko’s ties to Putin. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya discusses the nation’s challenges and hopes for democracy.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko ordered underperforming harvest workers and officials to be sent to the army to guard the Ukraine border, emphasizing improved wellbeing rather than initiating war. The directive coincides with efforts to secure a bountiful harvest season.

Poland reported 235 attempted irregular border crossings from Belarus in the first half of 2026, a sharp decline from over 15,500 attempts in the same period in 2025. The Polish Interior Ministry stated all 2026 attempts were intercepted, attributed to a $790 million investment in border fortifications including a 5.5-meter-high steel fence and electronic surveillance systems in Podlaskie and Lubelskie regions.

Russia is continuing to produce missiles incorporating foreign components from Switzerland, China, and the U.S., alongside Russian and Belarusian parts, as determined by forensic analysis of debris from a May strike on Bila Tserkva.

Belarus has continued a military infrastructure buildup along the Ukrainian border near the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, according to Ukraine’s State Border Service (DPSU). Ukraine reports no troop concentration but believes Belarus is resisting pressure from Moscow to join the war.

Zelenskyy stated that China directly warned Russia against using nuclear weapons in response to Ukrainian strikes. He learned of this from European leaders at the NATO summit in Ankara and discussed it with U.S. President Donald Trump. A Russian MP recently urged Putin to consider nuclear strikes to force a peace agreement.

The US approved the sale of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Germany, reversing earlier reluctance. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed the agreement aims to address a strategic defense gap against Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region.

Russian athletes will be able to take part in qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The move follows the IOC lifting restrictions for Russia's ally Belarus two months prior.

The IOC has instructed Olympic sports bodies to discontinue a three-year program vetting Russian athletes for neutral status ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The decision aligns with the IOC's recent move to allow athletes from Belarus and Russia to compete under their national identities, while maintaining provisional suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and requiring enhanced doping controls for returning athletes.

Lukashenko stated that Belarus will not join Putin’s war in Ukraine. Kyiv feared that Moscow was pressuring Belarus to support the war effort.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko stated Belarusian troops will not be sent to fight in Ukraine, while accusing the West of prolonging the war through an international 'war party.' He also claimed the EU is pursuing militarization and that Belarus faces hybrid attacks from Western countries.

NATO's frontline states, including Finland, Poland, and Lithuania, are strengthening defenses along their borders with Russia amid heightened tensions. The article highlights concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's questioning of NATO commitments and Russia's military buildup near EU countries.

NATO's eastern flank countries, including Finland, Poland, and Lithuania, are bolstering defenses along their borders with Russia amid growing military tensions. The article highlights concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's skepticism toward NATO commitments, prompting European allies to prepare for potential conflicts without American support.

Polish officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, have confirmed preparations for potential Russian security provocations following US intelligence warnings. The intelligence highlights threats such as limited ground incursions from Russia or Belarus and drone strikes on critical infrastructure. Polish leadership emphasizes defense modernization while advising the public against panic.

Russia is expecting 200,000 barrels of jet fuel from Japan, routed through South Korea’s Yeosu port, as Ukrainian strikes disrupt its fuel production. Russia also imports gasoline from India, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, but these supplies remain insufficient to meet demand.

Belarus warned citizens against traveling to Russia, citing security risks after a Russian claim that a Ukrainian drone attacked a Minsk-Anapa passenger bus in the Bryansk region. Ukraine's General Staff denied the accusation, calling it a fabricated provocation.

Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 28 political prisoners on Independence Day, citing humanitarian grounds, as part of efforts to improve relations with the West. Despite this, Belarus still holds 864 political prisoners, including 21 journalists, according to the Viasna human rights center, with the UN and opposition leaders noting ongoing repression and lack of human rights progress.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with leaders from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Belarus, and North Korea in June 2026. He hosted 20 national leaders in Beijing this year, including Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, highlighting China's growing global influence amid geopolitical tensions.

The International Skating Union (ISU) has reinstated Russian and Belarusian figure skaters, allowing them to compete as neutral athletes under guidelines that prohibit the use of national flags, anthems, or state symbols.

Lukashenko's sudden visit to Beijing following closed-door talks with Putin indicates an attempt to seek Chinese support amid growing pressure over Belarus' involvement in Russia's war. The article notes that Minsk continues to serve as a platform for aggression, with potential provocations such as drones, border pressure, and sabotage possibly challenging Western resolve.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing after talks with the Kremlin. Chinese state media described bilateral relations as entering their 'best period in history,' while Lukashenko, a key Putin ally, permitted Russia to use Belarusian territory for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine's Air Force claims Russia's real-time control of Shahed attack drones has been significantly reduced after relay stations near the Belarusian border were shut down. This disruption limits Russian operators' ability to adjust drone targets during attacks.

Belarus has threatened a full-scale response if Ukraine crosses its border, as both countries accuse each other of increasing militarization. Ukraine alleges Belarus is expanding military infrastructure and storing ammunition near key corridors, while also reporting the shutdown of Russian drone guidance systems on Belarusian territory.

Xi Jinping met Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing. Lukashenko, a key ally of Russia, allowed Moscow to launch its 2022 invasion of Ukraine from Belarusian territory. China continues to present itself as neutral in the war despite close ties with Moscow and its partners.

Ukraine has shifted from a policy of non-provocation to issuing a public ultimatum to Belarus, demanding the dismantling of relay stations in the Gomel and Brest regions that assist Russian Shahed drones. President Zelensky warned that Ukraine would destroy the equipment if Belarus fails to act.

Putin and Lukashenko held closed-door talks at Valdai following Kyiv's warning about Russian military infrastructure in Belarus. The Kremlin described the meeting as routine, but the timing highlights Belarus's growing involvement in Russia's war, which is difficult to conceal.

Russian authorities used Cellebrite's UFED forensic tools to break into the iPhone of detained opposition activist Andrey Pivovarov in June 2021, three months after Cellebrite stopped selling its tools and services to Russia and Belarus. The finding, published by Citizen Lab on June 25, is based on traces on the phone and an official Russian source.