Minsk
Photo: Zedlik, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
Headlines and summaries are written by AI. How it works
- Oct 13
Lukashenko says trade with Poland could help avoid war as Poles spurn pellets
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on 12 October 2026 that economic cooperation with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia could help avoid war, while complaining that Polish buyers are not taking Belarusian firewood and pellets. Poland's competition regulator, UOKiK, has warned the energy ministry about the pellet market three times this year.
- Oct 13
'Black Rus' group claims armed escort of 20 migrants on Latvia-Belarus border
The group said it organised the armed escort during the night of 5 to 6 October and promised further sabotage against Belarus's neighbours. Latvia's interior minister described the incident as a demonstrative and aggressive provocation directed from the Belarusian side.
- Oct 7
Armed smugglers clash with Latvian border guards before sabotaging surveillance cameras
Masked gunmen escorted at least 20 migrants toward the Latvian border and sabotaged monitoring equipment, prompting neighboring Lithuania to deploy troops along its Kaliningrad frontier.
- Oct 4
Donald Trump nominates Belarus envoy John Coale as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs
John Coale, who negotiated the release of hundreds of prisoners in Eastern Europe, replaces Adam Boehler in a post requiring Senate confirmation.
- Oct 1
Magdalena Fręch defeats Elsa Jacquemot in three sets at WTA 1000 in Beijing
Poland's Magdalena Fręch secured a 7:5, 3:6, 6:4 win over Elsa Jacquemot in 163 minutes at the China Open, earning a second-round matchup against Czech seed Nikola Bartunkova.
- Sep 30
Russia caps cash ruble exports to seven post-Soviet states at 1 million rubles
A decree signed by Vladimir Putin cuts the cash limit for individuals traveling to Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and four other countries from $100,000 to approximately $11,900, while banning corporate cash exports entirely.
- Sep 21
Trump pursues Belarus potash deal amid Canada trade dispute as Minsk cites supply limits
US President Donald Trump announced negotiations to import lower-cost potash from Belarus to reduce reliance on Canadian supplies, though Minsk stated its current production is committed elsewhere.
- Sep 19
Belarus concludes four-day military drills near Polish and Lithuanian borders
Belarus concluded four days of military exercises involving mechanized and tank units at training grounds located as close as 15 km from Poland and directly on the Lithuanian border.
- Sep 16
Belarus frees 25 political prisoners as US lifts sanctions on two industrial firms
US envoy John Coale secured the release of 25 Belarusian political prisoners to Lithuania after Washington lifted sanctions on two state manufacturers, with further talks planned next month.
- Aug 29
Putin and Lukashenko meet near Moscow to expand trade and Union State integration
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence near Moscow on Saturday, reviewing bilateral trade that reached nearly $52 billion last year and grew 12.5% in early 2026.
- Jul 30
Braga thrash Zeleznicar 4-0 to reach Conference League third qualifying round as Hornicek nears Newcastle move
A dominant 4-0 win over Serbian side Zeleznicar Pancevo sent SC Braga into the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, but the night was overshadowed by goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek's imminent transfer to Newcastle United.
- Jun 9
Poland names Moroccan suspect in 2024 border killing of soldier Mateusz Sitek, suspends investigation as Belarus ignores extradition request
Prosecutors identified Mohamed Addamrou as the man who fatally stabbed 21-year-old Sergeant Mateusz Sitek at the Belarus border in May 2024. The investigation was suspended on 22 May 2026 after Belarus failed to respond to an extradition request sent in December 2025.
