Belarus in the news as Lukashenko courts the West and faces international scrutiny over detainees, deportations, and sanctions. Old-guard leader since 1994.
At the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics, Russia and Belarus competed under their national flags for the first time since 2014, following bans due to doping and the 2022 Ukraine invasion. Their participation sparked boycotts by seven countries, including Ukraine, and boos from some spectators. Russian athletes have won multiple medals, marking a contentious return amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The ICC prosecutor's office announced a credible case against Belarus for deporting political prisoners, some of whom were sent to Lithuania. Lithuania, a member of the ICC, brought the case. Belarus, not a member, faces potential international accountability amid ongoing repression of political opponents.
Belarus has released 250 political prisoners following a meeting with U.S. envoy John Coale, as part of a broader effort to improve relations with the West. The U.S. lifted sanctions on key Belarusian companies, including potash producers, in exchange for the prisoner releases. The move signals a diplomatic thaw.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko have met in Pyongyang to deepen cooperation. They plan to sign a friendship treaty and discuss expanding political and economic ties, reflecting shared opposition to Western sanctions and support for Russia's stance on Ukraine.
The US embassy in Namibia emphasizes strict adherence to visa rules, warning travelers about overstays and document fraud. Meanwhile, the UK issues broad travel warnings for multiple countries, citing safety and legal concerns. Both stories highlight increased scrutiny on international travel and visa compliance as global mobility rises.
Estonia's Foreign Minister states Russia is not militarily preparing to attack NATO or Baltic states. Ukrainian President Zelensky warns Russia may mobilize again or involve Belarus in its war. Ukraine reports increased military activity near Belarus, which hosts Russian forces and weapons. The situation remains tense but not imminent.
On Saturday, a 58-year-old Russian-born man has opened fire in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district, killing six people and injuring 14. After shooting on the street, he barricaded himself in a supermarket with hostages. Police stormed the store after 40 minutes of failed negotiations, killing the attacker. The incident is under investigation as a terrorist act.
On the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, nuclear sites in Ukraine and Iran face ongoing threats. Military activity near Ukrainian nuclear facilities and repeated bombings of Iranian sites increase the risk of nuclear accidents. Disruptions to global energy markets continue, driven by geopolitical tensions and war.
Forty years after the 1986 reactor explosion, memorials and visits are being held across Ukraine and internationally. Former liquidators have returned to the site and residents have been holding vigils, while Kyiv has warned that Russian missiles and drones have repeatedly flown near the plant and damaged its protective shelter last year.
The administration has launched new investigations into forced labor and overproduction that could bring tariffs. Hearings are under way, with business groups warning costs will pass to consumers while supporters argue the measures will protect workers and boost domestic production. Refunds are being issued for previously deemed illegal tariffs, but the impact on prices and supply chains remains uncertain.
Belarus has released a handful of prisoners as part of a multi-country exchange brokered by the United States, with Poland, Moldova and Romania among those involved. Polish journalist Andrzej Poczobut is among the detainees freed, returning home after years in a Belarusian penal colony. The swap also involves Moldovan and Russian detainees and is framed by ongoing efforts to normalize Minsk’s relations with Western partners.
World Boxing has approved an Individual Neutral Athletes framework for Russian and Belarusian boxers, banning national flags, symbols and anthems and subjecting entrants to vetting; the policy applies across age groups and will take immediate effect.
Across multiple fronts, stories show how people are being drawn into or coerced into military roles tied to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with international recruits, conscription schemes, and battlefield deployments shaping the conflict.
The IOC has allowed Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flag and anthem, while maintaining concerns about Russia after allegations involving Russia’s anti-doping chief Veronika Loginova trigger a WADA probe. The World Anti-Doping Agency has said it is reviewing the latest claims and will act if verified. Russia’s sports ministry says the ROC remains suspended and demands clear timelines for reinstatement.
Vladimir Putin has overseen a scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow under heavy security, has said "the matter is coming to an end," and has offered to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country only after a final peace treaty is agreed. A US-brokered three-day ceasefire and a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap have been announced for the holiday.
EU foreign ministers are weighing direct talks with Russia over Ukraine, with Zelenskiy urging Europe to have a strong voice. Schroeder’s name has been floated as a potential EU envoy, but Brussels remains wary of impartiality. Kyiv says coordination with Europe could apply more pressure on Moscow amid ongoing attacks.
World Rugby’s investigation has handed long bans to six Georgian players and a medical official, with more sanctions for the Georgian Rugby Union as part of what it calls the sport’s most extensive anti-doping probe. No evidence has surfaced of urine substitution to mask PED use, but there are credible findings of cannabis and tramadol concealment.
Belarusian and Russian forces are conducting a joint exercise to test the movement and deployment of nuclear weapons from unplanned launch sites. Officials say the drills are routine and not aimed at any third party, but Kyiv and Western partners warn of escalated nuclear risk amid Belarus’ proximity to NATO borders.
The Defence Ministry has announced a three-day drill involving 64,000 troops, 200+ missile launchers, 140+ aircraft, 73 surface ships, and 13 submarines to practice the preparation and use of nuclear forces under the threat of aggression. Belarus cooperation is included amid rising Ukrainian drone strikes.