JRL NEWSWATCH: “‘This is a turning point in Belarusian history’ Opposition...
“… Belarus[‘s] … presidential elections [are] on August 9, [with] the 2020 race … already … deemed the dirtiest in the country’s history … [A]uthorities arrested alternative candidate Viktor Babariko...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Lukashenko cancels state of the nation speech as health...
“… Lukashenko cancelled his annual state of the nation speech … admitt[ing] … having the [COVID-19] coronavirus. … ‘Today you are meeting a man who managed to survive the coronavirus on his feet. …...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Lukashenko rhetoric shows fallout between Minsk and Moscow”-...
“Arrest of 33 Russians comes as Belarusian president’s strategy of playing Russia and the west off each other founders.” “… Belarus authorities arrested the [Russian] men [checking into a sanatorium...
View ArticleIn a Confrontation Between Putin and the West, Belarus May Get Caught in the...
(Kennan Institute – wilsoncenter.org/program/kennan-institute – Igor Zevelev – Aug. 5, 2020) Former Professor at George Marshall European Center for Security Studies; Former Director, MacArthur...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “The contest after the vote; Eight major takeaways from the...
“… Belarusian election officials published … preliminary results … [indicating that] Lukashenko … won more than 80 percent …. radically contradict[ing] [opposition] reports … say[ing] [Svetlana]...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Russian MP Konstantin Zatulin and head of the Duma’s foreign...
“… Putin was amongst the first of a handful of foreign leaders to call and congratulate … Lukashenko on his ‘victory’ in last weekend’s presidential election [in Belarus], but MPs in the Russian Duma...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “With Belarus in Turmoil, Russia Sees Chance to Expand Its...
“Moscow offers to strengthen Russian integration with Minsk in attempt to shore up Lukashenko after unprecedented protests.” “[Independent online pollsters … reported exit polls giving opposition...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Does Lukashenko have enough forces to oppress the entire...
“Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko normally relies on some 10,000 security forces to enforce his control, but with 100,000s of people on the street that number is woefully inadequate now.” “…...
View ArticleRUSSIALINK: “Russian Media Responds to Belarus Protest Crackdown”– Moscow Times
Tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators in Belarus have gathered in recent days to protest President Alexander Lukashenko's disputed victory and the violent police crackdown that followed [...]
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Will Russia invade Belarus?”– bne Intellinews/ Ben Aris
“Russia has a lot more to lose than to gain from an annexation of Belarus. But it will be hard to lose anything in a post-Lukashenko Belarus” “… Lukashenko … [said] he would ask … Putin to help Belarus...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Why Vladimir Putin is unlikely to invade Belarus”– Atlantic...
“… Lukashenka seems to be on his way out. … he could only gather a few thousand press-ganged ‘supporters’ for a regime rally … [C]olossal crowds gathered [in Minsk] … hours later to demand his...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Lukashenko Says He Is Ready to Share Power in Belarus as...
“[Belarus’ leader] … Lukashenko … [says] he would be ready to hold new elections and hand over power after a constitutional referendum, an attempt to pacify mass protests and strikes … pos[ing] the...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Tikhanovskaya to hold first transition council meeting, EU...
“The focus of the opposition is shifting from street protests to a legal assault on Lukashenko’s administration and the creation of a transition government.” “… nominal president-elect of Belarus...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Belarus Opposition Seeks to Reassure Russia as Strikes Go...
“Opposition leaders in Belarus are seeking to reassure Russia about future relations as the biggest challenge to … Lukashenko’s 26-year rule continues with nationwide strikes. Russia is an important...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Merkel and Putin discuss political crisis in Belarus”–...
“German leader’s talks with counterpart acknowledge Russia’s crucial role in deciding fate of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko.” “… Merkel called … Putin … Tuesday to discuss Belarus[,] …...
View ArticleWill Russia Intervene Militarily in Belarus?
... Putin ... apparently promised 'comprehensive security assistance,' according to Lukashenko, ... then stated 'preparedness to render necessary assistance in resolving the emerged problems [...]
View ArticleOnly Six Percent of Russians Think Lukashenka About to Lose Power, VTsIOM...
(Paul Goble – Window on Euarasia – Staunton, Aug. 16, 2020) While one Russian in four thinks Alyaksandr Lukashenka falsified the results of the presidential vote there and only one in five thinks that...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Putin bets on Lukashenko keeping power in Belarus for now:...
“… Putin believes … Lukashenko will probably cling to power for now despite protests … and is content to let him sweat it out, two sources close to the Kremlin said. … [T]he two countries usually have...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Belarus’ defence minister tells military elite: ‘It is...
“Belarus’ Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin told the country’s military elite that there may be a military conflict and they may be called on to use their weapons …. ‘Yes, we may have a civil war …....
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Biegun Says U.S. Sees No Indication of Russian Military Plans...
“Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun [was in Lithuania,] signal[ing] a greater U.S. role … trying to settle … strife … erupt[ing] when Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko cracked down on...
View ArticleBelarusians Expected a Maidan but Instead have a Revolution, Kagarlitsky Says
(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, August 19, 2020) Belarusians expected a Maidan like in Ukraine with a dispute about falsification of election results leading to the ouster of a dictator;...
View ArticleAs Lukashenka Turns To Geopolitics, The West Faces Learning Curve In Belarus
... The embattled strongman has been back-footed by the massive, unprecedented demonstrations demanding he resign in the wake of the August 9 presidential election the protesters view as fixed [...]
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “In a Shift, Belarus Leader Seeks to Stem Protests Gradually”– AP
“When Belarusians filled the streets to protest what they called a fraudulent election that kept authoritarian … Lukashenko in power … blunt repressions came first. … emboldening more protesters,...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Thousands gather on Belarus’ Independence Square in the rain...
“Thousands of Belarusians … gather[ed] once again on [I]ndependence [S]quare in central Minsk … [T]he police … [have again] started to randomly arrest protestors …. The protests have become as large as...
View ArticleRUSSIALINK: “Lukashenko declares readiness for dialogue with ‘reasonable’...
MINSK. Aug 27 (Interfax) – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced that he is ready to establish a dialogue with labor collectives, students, and “reasonable” members of the opposition,...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Belarus’ Soviet-era economy still propped up by Moscow”–...
“Belarus has one of the lowest poverty rates in Europe, but economic growth is anemic due to archaic state-run industries and the ending of Russian energy subsidies. Its biggest political crisis is...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Belarus protests stoke sea change at state media outlets”–...
“Hundreds of journalists have gone on strike demanding fair coverage of demonstrations.” “… [In] a sea change at … [Belarus’s] normally pliant state media[,] [h]undreds of journalists have gone on...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Belarus Leader Proposes Vote on Constitution Reforms”– AFP
“… Lukashenko on Monday discussed plans for a referendum on constitutional reforms …. The 66-year-old … fac[es] his greatest challenge yet [in his 26-year rule,] following three weekends of giant...
View ArticleRUSSIALINK: “Travel Ban, Oil Supplies on Russia-Belarus Agenda”– Moscow Times
(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Sept. 4, 2020) Russia and Belarus are preparing to reopen borders that were closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and are discussing rerouting Belarusian oil...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Belarusian leader set to visit Russia as protests continue”– AP
“… Protesters in Belarus have spent a month denouncing the results of the country’s Aug. 9 presidential election as rigged and demanding the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko from the sixth...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Putin Backs Lukashenko as Belarus Leader Vows Closer Ties”– AFP
“… Putin on Monday backed embattled … Lukashenko[,] …. [who] thanked Putin for his support and vowed to stick closer to ‘elder brother’ Moscow during … talks at … [Putin’s Sochi] residence …....
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “After Weeks of Pressure in Belarus, Protesters and Lukashenko...
“More than 100,000 people protest; country’s longtime leader set to meet Putin on Monday.” “More than 100,000 … poured into the streets of … Minsk [Sunday], sparking a show of force and mass detentions...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Russia says Belarus leader plans to change constitution;...
“Russia said … Lukashenko … confirmed … plans to change the constitution as the two leaders held talks in Sochi …. Lukashenko faces mass protests at home …. Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26...
View ArticleRUSSIALINK: “‘Harsh Times Ahead’: Russia’s Emergency Loan to Belarus Changes...
The $1.5 billion will largely go towards refinancing debt owed to Russia, and is only a fraction of what Belarus needs to avoid a crash in living standards. (Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Jake...
View ArticleThousands March Again In Belarus To Call For Lukashenka’s Resignation
Thousands of opposition supporters marched in central Minsk on September 20 for a 43rd day, a day after thousands of women attended a march demanding the resignation of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Lukashenko inaugurates himself in secret”– bne Intellinews/...
“Fearing mass protests, Belarus’ self-appointed President Alexander Lukashenko held an inauguration for himself in secret to complete the legal process of winning the disputed August 9 presidential...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “A dozen countries refuse to recognise Lukashenko’s...
“A dozen countries refused to recognise … Lukashenko as … legitimate president of Belarus after he secretly inaugurated himself … September 23. Tensions were high in Minsk after the news broke, with...
View ArticleBelarus Crisis Highlights Europe’s Energy Problem
(Oilprice.com – Vanand Meliksetian – Sept. 24, 2020) The ongoing demonstrations in Belarus and the looming instability are a threat to both Russia and the EU. Moscow prefers the continuation of...
View ArticleBELARUS: NOW IT GETS DICEY
Moscow faces a number of unpleasant scenarios in Belarus [...]
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Alexander Lukashenko changes tack in Belarus stand-off”–...
“Meeting imprisoned opposition leaders is departure from previous hardline approach” “After … weeks in the Belarusian KGB prison, tech executive Dmitry Rabtsevich and a dozen opposition activists …...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Tikhanovskaya’s People’s Ultimatum deadline expires, general...
“Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya set a deadline of October 25 for Lukashenko to leave office or face a general strike that will bring the country to its knees. Lukashenko has not quit.” “The...
View ArticleRUSSIALINK: “Former presidential candidate Tikhanovskaya wants to be...
Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has said that she is willing to lead the country in the transitional period [...]
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Multinational firms under pressure to break ties with...
“The West has imposed sanctions on Belarus’ elite, but they are not enough to oust President Alexander Lukashenko. Increasingly the opposition and its supporters are targeting international companies...
View ArticleThe State of Disunion in Belarus
The key descriptor for Belarusian society at the moment may be “disintegration” [...]
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “We fund Russian democracy protesters, boasts U.S. group”– The...
“Senior officials at a U.S. government-funded organisation have been tricked into boasting about helping … pro-democracy movements in Russia and … a ‘modest but significant’ contribution to … protests...
View ArticleRUSSIALINK: “After Plane Crisis, Is Belarusian President Lukashenko Becoming...
Analysts say Moscow’s muted reaction to the diversion to Minsk of a Ryanair flight speaks to the Kremlin’s ambivalent view of the strongman. (Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Felix Light – May 24,...
View ArticleRussian-Belarusian Codependence Highlighted in Wake of Forced Jet Landing
... Lukashenko is dependent on Putin for funding and personal protection. But Putin cannot afford to “lose” Belarus, and Lukashenko has been able to instill in his Moscow patrons a belief that he is...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Russia, Belarus Agree on Economic Integration Pacts; The...
“… Putin … [said] that in the end all 28 integration programs were approved. [Putin said that] [t]hey include the integration of currency systems, the principles of levying indirect taxes … the fight...
View ArticleJRL NEWSWATCH: “Lukashenko threatens to cut gas supplies to Yamal-Europe gas...
“… Lukashenko has threatened to cut off [Belarusian] gas transit to Europe … shutting down the Yamal-Europe pipeline if the EU imposes new sanctions …. The Yamal-Europe pipeline is part of the...
View ArticleKremlin Lashes Out At West, Defends Troop Movements, As It Boosts Role In...
The Kremlin has vowed to safeguard its borders in the face of actions by countries it accused of trying to "contain" Russia and sought to walk back a Belarusian threat of a cutoff of Russian natural...
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