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Alexander Lukashenko

The latest news and top stories on Alexander Lukashenko. Known for his decades-long authoritarian rule, he has been the de facto leader of Belarus since 1994. He oversees national security foreign policy and economic stability, serving as Commander-in-Chief. His tenure is marked by controversial constitutional changes, suppression of dissent and disputed election victories, drawing international condemnation and sanctions. Lukashenko maintains strong ties with Russia, notably allowing Belarusian territory for the invasion of Ukraine. His background includes agricultural management and early anti-corruption efforts, though he is now widely criticised for human rights abuses and corruption.

North Korea

North Korea tests powerful missile engine. Will an ICBM launch follow?

The engine may be used in the Hwasong-20, which analysts say is capable of hitting targets around the globe.

31 Mar 2026 - 9:11AMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea and Belarus sign friendship treaty on Lukashenko’s first visit

27 Mar 2026 - 10:08AM

North Korea

Kim welcomes Belarus’ Lukashenko to North Korea with a 21-gun salute

26 Mar 2026 - 3:49PM

Belarus

Belarus frees 250 political prisoners as US removes more sanctions

It was the latest step in the Belarusian leader’s effort to improve ties with Washington.

20 Mar 2026 - 11:05AM

Rights activist Valiantsin Stefanovic was among those freed on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Allies tepid on joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ as countries study invites

Some leaders sign on to the Trump-chaired body, but initial reaction from two key allies, France and Canada, was lukewarm.

20 Jan 2026 - 12:29PM

Russia

Russia’s nuclear-capable missiles enter service, heightening Ukraine tensions

After Trump-Zelensky talks, Putin projects power by deploying nuclear-ready Oreshnik missiles to Belarus as a warning to the West.

30 Dec 2025 - 8:14PM

Russia

Russia likely moving new nuclear missiles that are hard to intercept to Belarus

Experts say deployment of the Oreshnik a strategic shift to deter Nato and extend Moscow’s missile range in Europe.

27 Dec 2025 - 2:27PMvideocam

Belarus

Opinion | Can Belarus balance relations with Russia, China and the US?

Minsk aims to rebalance its foreign policy towards Beijing and Washington but geopolitical realities prevent a full break from Russia.

23 Dec 2025 - 9:34PM

Ukraine war

Russia deploys nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile to Belarus amid Ukraine talks

Russian state media says it would take the weapon only 17 minutes to reach Nato headquarters in Brussels.

19 Dec 2025 - 3:57AMvideocam

European Union

Belarus agrees to stop balloon flights into Lithuania amid hybrid attack fears

The incidents have caused over a dozen closures of Vilnius airport in recent months, prompting Lithuania to declare a state of emergency.

14 Dec 2025 - 2:24AM

An undated image shows an officer inspecting a balloon used to smuggle cigarettes into Lithuania. Photo: State Border Guard Service via AP

Belarus

Belarus frees 123 prisoners in exchange for US sanctions relief

Peace prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova and 121 others have been released by one of Russia’s key allies.

13 Dec 2025 - 10:38PM

Tatsiana Khomich holds up a picture of her detained sister Maria Kalesnikava after accepting a prize on her behalf in 2022. Kalesnikava is one of those now due to be released by the authorities in Belarus. Photo: Reuters

Lithuania

Lithuania declares national emergency over balloons from Belarus

The declaration is in response to frequent airspace violations by smuggling balloons that Lithuania calls a ‘hybrid attack’ from Belarus.

10 Dec 2025 - 1:03PM

Ukraine war

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid intensify as winter approaches

Trump said on Sunday he may tell Putin that he could supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles if the war is not settled.

13 Oct 2025 - 6:12AMvideocam

SCO

Foreign leaders ride the rapid rails of China’s tech prowess after SCO summit

Blazing from Tianjin to Beijing on China’s signature high-speed railway, several state leaders are given a glimpse of rapid and lucrative modernisation efforts.

5 Sep 2025 - 11:35AMvideocam

Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli arrives in Beijing on Tuesday. He is among more than a dozen state leaders who took a high-speed train to Beijing this week to attend Wednesday’s Victory Day parade. Photo: Xinhua

SCO

6 takeaways from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opening

Xi Jinping urges members’ cooperation and setting up a development bank as Vladimir Putin blames Nato for Ukraine crisis.

1 Sep 2025 - 8:31PMvideocam

Xi announces the formal start of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s summit in Tianjin on Monday. Photo: CCTV

China’s military drills

Central Beijing blocked off for China’s WWII anniversary parade rehearsal

Thousands take part in preparations to mark 80 years since the defeat of Japanese forces.

10 Aug 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

Belarus

Putin ally Lukashenko says he won’t seek another term as Belarus president

The leader was interviewed by a US media outlet, in a sign of thawing relations with the United States under Trump.

9 Aug 2025 - 2:06AMvideocam

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Alexander Lukashenko

North Korea tests powerful missile engine. Will an ICBM launch follow?

The engine may be used in the Hwasong-20, which analysts say is capable of hitting targets around the globe.

North Korea and Belarus sign friendship treaty on Lukashenko’s first visit

Kim welcomes Belarus’ Lukashenko to North Korea with a 21-gun salute

Belarus frees 250 political prisoners as US removes more sanctions

It was the latest step in the Belarusian leader’s effort to improve ties with Washington.

Allies tepid on joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ as countries study invites

Some leaders sign on to the Trump-chaired body, but initial reaction from two key allies, France and Canada, was lukewarm.

Russia’s nuclear-capable missiles enter service, heightening Ukraine tensions

After Trump-Zelensky talks, Putin projects power by deploying nuclear-ready Oreshnik missiles to Belarus as a warning to the West.

Russia likely moving new nuclear missiles that are hard to intercept to Belarus

Experts say deployment of the Oreshnik a strategic shift to deter Nato and extend Moscow’s missile range in Europe.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Can Belarus balance relations with Russia, China and the US?

Minsk aims to rebalance its foreign policy towards Beijing and Washington but geopolitical realities prevent a full break from Russia.

Russia deploys nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile to Belarus amid Ukraine talks

Russian state media says it would take the weapon only 17 minutes to reach Nato headquarters in Brussels.

Belarus agrees to stop balloon flights into Lithuania amid hybrid attack fears

The incidents have caused over a dozen closures of Vilnius airport in recent months, prompting Lithuania to declare a state of emergency.

Belarus frees 123 prisoners in exchange for US sanctions relief

Peace prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova and 121 others have been released by one of Russia’s key allies.

Lithuania declares national emergency over balloons from Belarus

The declaration is in response to frequent airspace violations by smuggling balloons that Lithuania calls a ‘hybrid attack’ from Belarus.

Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid intensify as winter approaches

Trump said on Sunday he may tell Putin that he could supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles if the war is not settled.

Foreign leaders ride the rapid rails of China’s tech prowess after SCO summit

Blazing from Tianjin to Beijing on China’s signature high-speed railway, several state leaders are given a glimpse of rapid and lucrative modernisation efforts.

6 takeaways from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opening

Xi Jinping urges members’ cooperation and setting up a development bank as Vladimir Putin blames Nato for Ukraine crisis.

Central Beijing blocked off for China’s WWII anniversary parade rehearsal

Thousands take part in preparations to mark 80 years since the defeat of Japanese forces.

Putin ally Lukashenko says he won’t seek another term as Belarus president

The leader was interviewed by a US media outlet, in a sign of thawing relations with the United States under Trump.

Opinion | Can Belarus balance relations with Russia, China and the US?