Belarus holds tightly-controlled elections following arrests of opposition figures

Belarusians are headed to the polls for tightly-controlled parliamentary elections. They're expected to result in a another big win for parties loyal to longtime-leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin meets Lukashenko amid fears Moscow wants to pressure Minsk to join a new offensive

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Belarus for the first time since 2019. He described talks with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko as "very fruitful" and said that he believes both Moscow and Minsk are succeeding at withstanding the pressure of Western sanctions.

What is Belarus' Role in the War in Ukraine?

Belarus borders both Russia, Ukraine, and several NATO countries. When Russia invaded Ukraine, it used Belarussian railways to move its troops, Belarussian batteries to over the border, and its terrain to punch south towards Kyiv. 

The Battle for Belarus

 

After a brutal state crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Belarus, neighbouring countries are now being drawn in.

Thousands of migrants and refugees are stranded in freezing winter conditions on the border between Belarus and the European Union.

It is a developing humanitarian emergency that neighbouring countries say has been deliberately engineered by Belarus’s authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, in response to EU sanctions.

But to many of his battle-weary political opponents, whether at home or in exile, the president’s latest departure from international norms is just another example of his cavalier attitude to human rights.

Belarus-Poland border row escalates

 

Belarus's President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to cut off gas supplies to Europe if sanctions are imposed over the worsening migrant crisis at the country's border with Poland.

Belarus protest: How is Lukashenko's support outside Minsk?

People have taken to the streets of the Belarusian capital Minsk once again to demand President Alexander Lukashenko step down. The demonstrations began three weeks ago after he claimed an overwhelming re-election victory in a poll that observers called neither free nor fair.

Belarus’ exiled leader breaks silence: The first interview with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - BBC News

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was in the running to become President of Belarus. She was forced to flee the country after Alexander Lukashenko declared a landslide victory, though many believe she won the election instead.

Belarus: Lukashenko announces constitutional changes, hints at new elections

There's been a ninth night of protests in the Belarusyan capital calling for president Alexander Lukashenko to step down. That's despite signs from Lukashenko that he may be prepared to hold fresh elections under certain conditions.

Growing pressure on Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko over “fraudulent” election

The UK has said it doesn't recognise the result of the recent presidential election in Belarus — which returned Alexander Lukashenko to power.

EU commission chief Von der Leyen supports sanctions on Belarusian officials

Close to seven thousand people have been detained in a police crackdown, that followed President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed re-election. The EU commission chief Ursula Von der Leyen has said she supports sanctions on Belarusian officials who violated democratic values or abused human rights.