-
Belarus freed 52 political prisoners on September 11 following US-brokered negotiations, including opposition figures, journalists, and foreigners. Most crossed into Lithuania, but over 1,200 remain detained. The move signals a tentative thaw in Belarus-US relations amid ongoing repression.
-
On October 4, 2025, Andrej Babiš's ANO party won the Czech parliamentary election with 34.5% of the vote but fell short of a majority. Babiš plans to form a minority government supported by far-right and populist parties opposing EU climate and migration policies. His victory signals a potential shift in Czech foreign policy closer to Hungary and Slovakia's pro-Russian stance, raising questions about continued support for Ukraine and EU relations.
-
The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut and Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, both imprisoned on charges seen as politically motivated. The award highlights ongoing struggles for press freedom and human rights amid authoritarian regimes in Belarus and Georgia.
-
As of early November 2025, Lithuania has indefinitely closed its Šalčininkai border crossing with Belarus and restricted passage at Medininkai following repeated incursions of helium balloons carrying contraband cigarettes into its airspace. These incidents disrupted flights at Vilnius and Kaunas airports multiple times last week, prompting national security measures and discussions of NATO consultations.
-
Lithuania closed two border crossings with Belarus on October 29 after Belarusian weather balloons caused air traffic disruptions. Belarus warns of confiscating stranded Lithuanian trucks, escalating tensions amid broader regional instability linked to Belarus and Russia. The situation reflects ongoing regional security concerns.
-
Lithuania's Vilnius airport was suspended for 11 hours after at least 60 balloons were launched from Belarus, directed at runways. Lithuania sees this as a hybrid attack by Belarus, a close Russian ally, amid rising tensions over drone and balloon incursions linked to regional security concerns.