Belarus' First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Lukashevich announced flourishing cooperation with African countries at a Moscow business forum on December 16, 2025. The event highlighted intensified interactions, high-level meetings, and plans for long-term economic partnerships across various sectors.
The FIDE General Assembly, meeting on December 14, 2025, voted to lift sanctions against Russia and Belarus, allowing their teams to return to official FIDE tournaments. The decision permits the use of national symbols in youth and junior competitions and lifts restrictions on hosting FIDE events in Belarus, though adult team events await further IOC consultation.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with US Special Envoy John Coale in Minsk on December 12-13, 2025, for discussions aimed at improving ties with the West. The talks resulted in the US lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash and Lukashenko pardoning 123 prisoners, building on previous efforts to secure the release of political detainees.
Lithuania has announced its intention to declare a national 'emergency situation' in response to a persistent influx of smuggler balloons originating from Belarus. These balloons, often carrying contraband cigarettes, have repeatedly disrupted operations at Vilnius and Kaunas airports, leading to flight cancellations and delays. Lithuanian officials accuse Belarus of engaging in 'hybrid warfare' tactics.
Belarus continues to serve as a critical industrial hub for Russia's military, supplying weapons components, vehicle platforms, and significantly expanding ammunition production, despite international sanctions and not directly engaging in combat. This support highlights the deep integration of their military-industrial complexes.
Belarus is actively modernizing its military, integrating advanced Russian Tor-M2K air defense systems and establishing dedicated UAV units. Recent deliveries of missile systems and the development of indigenous drones like the Chekan-V underscore Minsk's focus on enhancing its defense capabilities and deepening military cooperation with Russia.
The European Union is preparing additional sanctions against Belarus, citing repeated airspace incursions by balloons that have disrupted Lithuanian airports. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described these incidents as an 'unacceptable hybrid attack' by the Lukashenko regime, causing significant financial losses and flight disruptions. Lithuania has initiated a pre-trial investigation and is considering legal action at international courts.
Belarusian Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) now commands 69% of the tractor market in Russia's Stavropol Territory, a significant indicator of robust economic ties. This dominance was highlighted during a recent Belarusian delegation visit, underscoring MTZ's strategic presence and ongoing cooperation in the agricultural sector.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko concluded a two-day goodwill visit to Myanmar, meeting with military chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw. The visit, the first by a Belarusian president, aimed to deepen bilateral cooperation in various sectors and bolster the military government's legitimacy ahead of a widely criticized election scheduled for late December.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys revealed that Belarus is pursuing consultations to break international isolation and secure relief from European Union sanctions. The EU's extensive sanctions regime targets Belarus for human rights abuses, the Ryanair incident, and its involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Belarus's republican budget for 2026 projects a deficit of 1.5% of GDP, totaling 4.35 billion Belarusian rubles. The draft budget, which passed its first parliamentary reading, outlines revenues of 54.38 billion rubles and expenditures of 58.73 billion rubles, with a continued social focus on education, healthcare, and family support.
Latvian authorities, including the National Armed Forces and State Border Guard, have intercepted at least seven meteorological balloons carrying over 720,000 illegal cigarettes that crossed into Latvian airspace from Belarus between November 23rd and 24th, 2025. This incident highlights an ongoing regional smuggling challenge.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens convicted of criminal offenses, a move announced on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The decision, made at Ukraine's request and in line with agreements with former U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to foster conditions for resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The pardoned individuals are being transferred to Kyiv.
Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin participated in the 24th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Moscow on November 18, 2025. Discussions focused on economic, trade, and humanitarian cooperation, with key documents signed to implement the SCO Development Strategy and strengthen multilateral ties. Belarus, a full SCO member since July 2024, emphasized countering sanctions and establishing independent financial mechanisms.
Belarus and China have advanced their cooperation in textile trade, manufacturing, and light industry following a pivotal meeting in Guangzhou. Belarusian Consul General Konstantin Golovko met with Guangda Business and Trade City leadership to discuss expanding commercial partnerships and future delegation visits, aiming to boost bilateral trade in key sectors.
Belarus has joined 22 other nations in endorsing the Clean Energy Ministerial Future Fuels Action Plan at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The initiative aims to quadruple sustainable fuel use by 2035, focusing on hard-to-abate sectors and enhancing global energy security through diversified sources.
Belarus has joined 22 other nations in endorsing the Clean Energy Ministerial Future Fuels Action Plan at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This initiative, launched on November 14, 2025, aims to significantly accelerate the global transition to sustainable fuels, targeting a quadrupling of their use by 2035, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.
Belarus was among 23 countries to endorse the Clean Energy Ministerial Future Fuels Action Plan at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This initiative, part of the 'Belém 4X' pledge, aims to quadruple sustainable fuel use by 2035, focusing on demand creation, transparent carbon accounting, and infrastructure development for hard-to-abate sectors.
Poland is set to reopen the Bobrowniki-Bierestowica and Kuźnica Białostocka-Bruzgi border crossings with Belarus on November 17. The move follows closures due to military exercises and drone incursions, aiming to ease traffic for residents and businesses while maintaining heightened security.
Polish authorities have begun building a second barrier in the Podlaskie Voivodeship along the border with Belarus. This new four-meter-high metal mesh fence, reinforced with barbed wire, aims to further deter illegal migration and is expected to be completed by January 2026.
