Belarus

The economy is pivoting towards China and Iran to circumvent Western sanctions and diversify trade. President Lukashenko personally launched a new production facility at Planar, while officials announced plans to double peat exports to China and hailed the arrival of the first direct freight train from Belarus to Tehran. A Belarusian diplomat condemned sanctions as a 'weapon of mass destruction' against nations.

• 4Lukashenko: ‘No need to stress over artificial intelligence’
• 2Lukashenko to visit Planar, take part in unique production facility launch
• 1Iran’s Rail Transit Up 20% in Past Month; First Direct Freight Train from Belarus Arrives in Tehran
• 1Belarus plans to double peat export to China
• 1Lithuanian PM dismisses talk of resuming Belarus fertiliser transit

Politics is defined by Belarus's integration into Trump's 'Board of Peace' initiative and the reinforcement of its alliance with China. Belarus, alongside the UAE and Bahrain, joined the 26-country board, a move that raised international eyebrows. Concurrently, Lukashenko reaffirmed commitment to top-level strategic relations with China, with officials jointly opposing external interference.

• 1Belarus’ vice premier comments on outcomes of EEC Council meeting
• 1CSTO ready to resume interaction with OSCE — secretary general
• 1Belarus joins Trump's 'Board of Peace,' raising eyebrows over Lukashenka's role
• 1Tsikhanouskaya and Zelensky meet for first time
• 1‘Even Lukashenko’s Dog Has More Rights’: Zelensky Lambastes Belarus as Russian Vassal State

Security remains on a heightened state of alert with active military integration and covert operations. Lukashenko ordered a snap army inspection and the army is applying Russian special military operation experience in training. Concurrently, Ukraine accused a Belarusian spy of posing as a journalist to target its military intelligence, and NATO reported a new threat from Belarusian balloons smuggling cigarettes.

• 1Belarusian balloons full of cigarettes pose NATO’s latest security threat
• 1Instability hotbeds approaching CSTO borders raise particular concern — chief
• 1Belarusian Spy Posed as Journalist to Target Kyiv’s Military Intelligence, Ukraine Says
• 1Volfovich: Belarus’ army applies Russian special military operation experience in training
• 1Lukashenko orders snap army inspection. Here’s how it works

Society is being mobilized by the state around themes of national duty and unity, with a specific focus on women's roles. Lukashenko called for maximum effort for Belarusian women in 2026 and earlier stressed national unity during snowfall cleanup efforts.

• 1Lukashenko calls for maximum effort for Belarusian women in 2026
• 1Lukashenko extends Rescuer Day greetings to emergency workers
• 1Lukashenko stresses national unity in snowfall cleanup efforts