Belarus in May 2026: the most important developments in politics
In May 2026, Belarusian politics revolved around President Alexander Lukashenko's diplomacy and the war in Ukraine. On 7 May he flew to Moscow for talks and the Victory Day parade, and told veterans that Belarus will not give up their Victory. On 24 May French President Emmanuel Macron warned him by phone against joining the war in Ukraine and urged Belarus to remain neutral. The next day Macron warned Lukashenko over Belarus hosting Russian nuclear drills and the Oreshnik missile system, while Lukashenko, meeting the leader of Russia's Tatarstan region, compared Belarus to Tatarstan. On 26 May he discussed regional cooperation with Macron.
Relations with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union ran through the month. Belarus and Russia agreed to create a joint carrier debt register after a call between Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Lukashenko approved a protocol to amend the union's treaty, and on 27 May Belarus and Russia presented in Hanoi the Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity, which outlines a vision for international relations based on principles different from Western-led global governance. Lukashenko then set out for Kazakhstan for the union's summit and forum. Reports said Belarus maintains a multi-vector foreign policy, with Russia remaining a strategic partner.
Other developments touched Belarus's neighbours. Lukashenko urged Moldova to preserve its sovereignty and keep close ties with traditional partners, and raised Eurasian Economic Union agenda items in talks with Igor Dodon. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited Kyiv after a Russian attack and discussed Ukraine-Belarus friendship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Lithuania warned that the transit of Belarusian fertiliser would undermine EU sanctions. The International Olympic Committee lifted restrictions on Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flag, and Belarus signed an expanded trade protocol with Egypt.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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