Belarus Engages Europe, Maneuvering on Ukraine, Standstill with the US – Belarus Foreign Policy Digest
Alexander Lukashenka's policy on Ukraine has won him many sympathisers both in Belarus and Ukraine. In his interview with Serbian media, he has also claimed a certain level of improvement in relations between Belarus and the European Union. Belarus continues to...
Russian Nuclear Weapons in Belarus, An Anti-Nato Military Bloc – Belarus Security Digest
The Kremlin pulls together an anti-NATO bloc. Minsk is trying to be helpful to the West as a source of information about the Kremlin's plan towards Ukraine insofar as Vladimir Putin allows them to. The Russian elite is overtaken by chauvinism and are increasingly...
Belarus Strengthens Ties With Europe, Preaches Morality to the World – Belarus Foreign Policy Digest
Belarus has asserted its displeasure with Russia's new 'Russian world' policy while maintaining its solidarity with Ukraine. All of this unfolded against a background of strengthening ties with "New Europe". The Foreign Ministry has resorted to Soviet-style meetings as a tool to promote...
Poroshenko and Lukashenka: Will the Ukrainian President Defend Belarus in the West?
On 26 May the future President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko stated that Belarus and his country can cooperate to help Lukashenka take steps towards establishing a democracy. Poroshenko also said that Lukashenka could consider him...
The Ukrainian Scenario is Being Tested in Belarus – Belarus Security Digest
The Belarusian authorities are preparing to counter by military means any possible attempts to destabilise the situation in Belarus under the scenario deployed in Eastern Ukraine. The Belarusian Ministry of Interior plans to make the fight against drug trafficking more efficient and...
Belarus Reality Check 2014
On 10 April 2014, the 3rd Belarus Reality Check meeting brought together in Brussels key international and Belarusian experts as well as donors and policy makers. The Reality Check Policy Review held under Chatham House rules allows individuals to present different local and international perspectives...
Ice Hockey Championship, Joining Forces Against Western Sanctions? – Belarus State TV Digest
The Ice Hockey World Championship have dominated the news coverage on Belarus' Channel 1. Journalists regularly report on the games, but also praise the event's organisation. The official celebrations carried out on Victory Day, held annually on 9 May, were another popular topic. The Belarusian head...
Belarus Opens New Embassies, Struggles to Remain Neutral on Ukraine – Foreign Policy Digest
Despite the need to please Russia during the talks on the Eurasian Union, Belarus managed to avoid criticising the Ukrainian authorities. Minsk remains a strong supporter of Ukraine's unity and stability. Belarus pursued its policy of gradual engagement with the EU through its Central European...
May Day Parade, Eurasian Union, Euroscepticism – Belarus State TV Digest
Alexander Lukashenka's annual address to the Belarusian people and parliament was the number one news item of the past week. The head of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan met in Minsk to discuss Eurasian integration. Meanwhile, Ukraine's acting president, Oleksandr Turchynov, reported to the Belarusian leader developments in the eastern part of the country. Corruption in Belarus remains...
Solidarity with Ukraine, Engagement with Central Europe – Belarus Foreign Policy Digest
Belarus has made a few gestures of support towards Ukraine, a move which has put it at odds with Russian policy. All of this is unfolding during a time when working relations between Belarus and several Central...
Protests in Ukraine, Investment from Iran, Presidency in the CIS – Belarus State TV Digest
Over the last two weeks Belarusian state Channel 1 has regularly covered the protests taking place in the eastern regions of Ukraine. It also commented upon the economic repercussions of the crisis for ordinary Ukrainians and an increase in...
Belarusian Vacationers Will Avoid Crimea This Summer
On 9-12 April an exhibition called Holiday 2014 took place in Minsk. Unlike in previous years, people do not appear to be particulary interested in purchasing what are usually popular offers for getaways to Crimea. In the past, almost half a...
Kremlin's Aggression in Ukraine Frightens Lukashenka – Belarus Security Digest
The Kremlin's aggressive actions in Ukraine have scared Minsk. The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) dreams about its own missile defence system. However, the organisation failed to re-equip even its 20,000-strong rapid reaction force for the past...
Balancing on Crimea, Merchants' Diplomacy, Protecting Traditional Values – Belarus Foreign Policy Digest
Belarus Digest is launching Belarus Foreign Policy Digest which will overview the most important foreign policy developments related to Belarus. Igar Gubarevich, who served as Counsellor at the Belarusian embassy in Paris in 2003 - 2006 and held several other...
Belarusian Drones, Military Cooperation with Ukraine, Drills – Belarus Security Digest
The situation around the establishment of a Russian air base in Belarus remains uncertain. Apparently, Minsk is continuing to bargain. In response, Moscow has postponed implementation of its earlier obligations to supply weapons to Belarus. The...