About: Alexander Lukashenko
EU weighs further sanctions on Belarus over illegal migrants
European Union foreign ministers debated new economic sanctions on Belarus on Monday (18 October), including on airlines, to halt what Brussels says is a deliberate policy by Minsk to fly in thousands of migrants and send them across the border.
Europe’s rights court tells Poland, Latvia to aid migrants stuck on Belarus border
The European Court of Human Rights on Wednesday (25 August) told Poland and Latvia to provide aid and care for dozens of Afghan and Iraqi migrants stranded on the border with Belarus.
UN refugee agency presses Poland to help migrants on Belarus border
The UN refugee agency UNHCR and rights groups urged Poland to offer medical and legal support and shelter to migrants camping on the border with Belarus, a day after Warsaw said it would build a fence to prevent migrants crossing.
Poland sends troops to Belarus border as migrant numbers surge
Poland has sent more than 900 troops to help secure its border with Belarus, its defence minister said on Wednesday (18 August), after a surge in illegal border crossings.
Latvia starts pushing back migrants at tense Belarus border
Latvian border guards turned back dozens of migrants into Belarus overnight under a new state of emergency designed to stem a flow of arrivals the European Union says is orchestrated by Minsk.
Belarus tells US to cut embassy staff in row over sanctions
Belarus has told the United States to reduce its embassy staff in Minsk and revoked its consent to the appointment of Julie Fisher as the ambassador in response to the latest sanctions by Washington, the Foreign Ministry said.
Latvia, Lithuania take emergency action over Belarus border
Latvia on Tuesday (10 August) declared a local state of emergency along its border with Belarus, as Lithuanian lawmakers approved the construction of a fence to stem an influx of illegal migrants.
Biden administration takes fresh action against Belarus’ Lukashenko
US President Joe Biden signed an executive order imposing new measures aimed at punishing Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko as the United States steps up pressure against his government in coordinated action with the United Kingdom and Canada.
Defiant Lukashenko says Belarusian Olympic defector was ‘manipulated’
President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday a Belarusian sprinter who defected at the Olympic Games in Tokyo had been "manipulated" by outside forces and would not have fled abroad otherwise.
EU calls meeting on Belarus border crisis
European Union ministers are to hold crisis talks on what they see as a bid by Belarus to pressure Lithuania and the rest of the bloc by encouraging a migrant influx.
Poland says Belarus lets migrants cross its border in ‘hybrid war’ with EU
Poland accused Belarus of sending a growing number of migrants over the border in retaliation for Warsaw's decision this week to give refuge to Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a Belarusian athlete who refused to return home from the Tokyo Olympics.
Belarusian sprinter refuses to leave Tokyo
A Belarusian sprinter refused to get on a flight from Tokyo on Sunday (1 August) after being taken to the airport against her wishes by her team following her complaints about national coaching staff at the Olympic Games.
Lithuania: Official entities participate in Belarus human trafficking
Official entities, such as airlines and tourist agencies, are involved in organised human trafficking via Belarus and should face sanctions, Lithuania's foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Belarus jails Lukashenko foe Babariko for 14 years in sham trial
A court in Belarus jailed former presidential contender Viktor Babariko for 14 years on Tuesday (6 July) after convicting him on corruption charges he denied, sparking condemnation from the West and the embattled opposition-in-exile.
EU condemns Belarus ‘pressuring’ Lithuania with migrants, says Michel
The European Union "speaks with one voice" in condemning a decision by Belarus to allow illegal migrants to cross into Lithuania in response to EU sanctions, European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday (5 July).
Lukashenko orders closure of Belarus border with Ukraine
Belarus' leader Alexander Lukashenko on Friday (2 July) ordered the closure of the border with Ukraine, seeking to block what he called an inflow of weapons to coup-plotters detected by his security services, BelTA state news agency reported.
Von der Leyen says flow of illegal migrants from Belarus ‘politically motivated’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday (2 July) pledged support for Lithuania, which is experiencing a quickly growing flow of Middle East migrants though its 679-kilometre border with Belarus.
EU reproves Belarus’ walkout from the Eastern Partnership
Belarus on Monday (28 June) said it was suspending its participation in the EU’s Eastern Partnership, an initiative to boost ties between the EU and its ex-Soviet neighbours, a move condemned by Brussels as “another step backwards” after the skyjacking...
Tsikhanouskaya: EU must base Belarus policy ‘on values, not pictures’
The EU must apply consistent pressure on the repressive Belarusian regime until it responds to calls for dialogue, exiled democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Lukashenko blasts ‘Nazi’ Germany after new Western sanctions
Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko Tuesday (22 June) accused modern Germany of Nazism on the 80th anniversary of Hitler's invasion of the USSR and a day after coordinated Western sanctions on his country.
West piles coordinated sanctions on Belarus after plane diversion
The EU, US, Britain and Canada ratcheted up pressure on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Monday (21 June) by imposing coordinated sanctions after the forced landing of a Ryanair airliner to arrest a regime critic.
Lithuania says Belarus is helping Middle Eastern migrants to cross its borders
Lithuania's Prime Minister says she believes Belarus is behind a recent spike of illegal immigration into Lithuania, following a threat by its president that it will no longer prevent migrants from crossing its western border.
Belarus: a moment of truth for European values
Firmness is the only answer to Alexander Lukashenko’s Soviet-era thuggery. But in addition to strict sanctions, those who oppose oppression need our help: psychological support and scholarships for now-exiled young activists, support for media and shelter for journalists, writes Frans Timmermans.