Alexander Lukashenko

Belarus frees 25 more prisoners in return for easing of US sanctions

Coale told Reuters on Wednesday he expects to visit the country again around one month from now, hoping to secure the release of hundreds more prisoners.

FILE PHOTO: Released political prisoners arrive in Vilnius after a prisoner release from Belarus on March 19, 2026. Belarus freed 250 political prisoners on March 19, 2026 following negotiations with the United States.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, in Moscow, Russia February 26, 2026.

Russia pumps up pressure on Belarus to open new front in Ukraine war, eyes anti-NATO ops. - WSJ

) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) exchanges documents with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) prior to the meeting with President of Russia, May 7, 2025 in Moscow, Russia

Putin calls Maduro, Lukashenko meets Venezuela envoy as Trump cranks up pressure

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting with Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Mikhail Myasnikovich in Minsk, Belarus November 30, 2020.

Belarus frees 52 prisoners after Trump appeal, US eases some sanctions on Minsk


Rebel Russian mercenaries return to base under deal ending advance on Moscow

The deal de-escalating Wagner's brief mutiny has resulted in Wagner fighters pulling out of the Russian town they initially seized on their way to Moscow.

 Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023

Russian ally Belarus starts 'mobilization exercises'

Belarus allowed Russia to use it as one of the launchpads for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. It has held frequent exercises with Russia and let Russian forces use its bases.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists during his visit to a military-industrial complex facility in the Minsk Region, Belarus June 13, 2023.

Deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus not time-limited - senior Russian diplomat

The deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus is Moscow's first move of such warheads outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists during his visit to a military-industrial complex facility in the Minsk Region, Belarus June 13, 2023.

Belarus starts receiving Russian nuclear weapons - Lukashenko

The deployment is Moscow's first move of such warheads outside Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to journalists during his visit to a military-industrial complex facility in the Minsk Region, Belarus June 13, 2023.

Belarus on high alert after 'four aircraft shot down' over Russia - Lukashenko

Lukashenko's reported visit to the base was his first public appearance in almost a week, following speculation over the health of the 68-year-old leader.

Ukrainian military helicopter flies over a village, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine April 29, 2023

Belarus opposition told to 'be ready' for democracy push as rumors of leader's ill health swirl

Will Belarus' opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, gain political traction if Lukshenko's health rapidly declines?

Leader of the Democratic Forces of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya attends the session "Women's Leadership: Towards Parity in Power" during the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023 in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland, January 19, 2023

Belarusian Lukashenko disappears for a week, public speculate he's ill

Lukashenko's office declined to comment on the state of his health while Russia denied he was ill.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon in Dushanbe, Tajikistan October 11, 2022

Countries around the world wish Israel happy Independence Day

Ukraine, Germany and Romania are just three of the countries wishing Israel a happy birthday on its 75th Independence Day.

 The 75th anniversary Independence Day ceremony, held at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on April 25, 2023.

Iranian supreme leader calls for cooperation among US-sanctioned states

Experts say sanctions will achieve policy goals even if sanctioned countries decide to cooperate but acknowledge that criticism of sanctions’ effectiveness will continue to grow.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, May 14, 2019

Belarus and Iran sign cooperation deal for 2023-2026

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was in Iran to discuss bilateral ties on economic issues, but it was unclear if defense ties were on the agenda.