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Belarus

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia, Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic States of Lithuania and Latvia. Its capital and most populous city is Minsk.

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All Content on this topic

Former Belarusian ambasador to Germany Denis Sidorenko

Former Belarusian ambasador to Germany Denis Sidorenko

Belarus: Former ambassador to Germany dies unexpectedly

Denis Sidorenko was ambassador in Berlin from 2016 to earlier this year, when he was recalled and not given a new role.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smile during their meeting at Pyongyang-Sunan International Airport outside Pyongyang.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smile during their meeting at Pyongyang-Sunan International Airport outside Pyongyang.

Stand by me? Vladimir Putin's remaining allies

Putin may be internationally isolated, yet he still can still count on some friendly autocratic nations for support.

Belorusian director and activist Andrey Gnyot

Belorusian director and activist Andrey Gnyot

Serbian court rules to extradite Andrey Gnyot to Belarus

A Serbian court has ruled that Belarusian journalist and political activist Andrey Gnyot can be extradited to Belarus.

A standoff between migrants and Polish soldiers on Kuznica Bialostocka-Bruzgi border crossing on the Belarusian-Polish border, November 8 2021.

A standoff between migrants and Polish soldiers on Kuznica Bialostocka-Bruzgi border crossing on the Belarusian-Polish border, November 8 2021.

Poland, Baltics step up border controls amid migrant crisis

Since 2021, migrants have made nearly 150,000 attempts to illegally cross into the EU from Belarus, DW analysis shows.

Polish soldiers patrol the border with Belarus along the border fence in the Bialowieza forest

Polish soldiers patrol the border with Belarus along the border fence in the Bialowieza forest

In eastern Poland, locals fear border zone will kill tourism

Residents in the towns and villages in Poland's eastern buffer zone fear the impact the measures will have on tourism.

Migrants are seen stretching their hands through the fence on Poland's border with Belarus in Bialowieza, Poland, on May 28, 2023. The migrants were part of a group of some 30 people seeking asylum in the EU country

Migrants are seen stretching their hands through the fence on Poland's border with Belarus in Bialowieza, Poland, on May 28, 2023. The migrants were part of a group of some 30 people seeking asylum in the EU country

What will be the human cost of Poland's new border defenses?

Poland is fortifying its border with Belarus. Critics are asking at what — or whose — cost the project will come.

Polish soldiers standing in front of a barbed wire fencing

Polish soldiers standing in front of a barbed wire fencing

Poland: Soldier dies after knife attack on Belarus border

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk blamed Russia for the surge in attempted migrant crossings at the border with Belarus.

Polish army vehicles seen moving to the eastern border on July 8, 2023

Polish army vehicles seen moving to the eastern border on July 8, 2023

Poland presents plan to fortify border to Russia, Belarus

Defense officials say Poland is at constant risk of hostile actions by Russia and its ally, Belarus.

A man and a woman perform on the bagpipes onstage.

A man and a woman perform on the bagpipes onstage.

Belarusian band Irdorath back on stage after imprisonment

Two years in prison for playing music at a protest? That's what happened to Vladimir and Nadezhda of the band Irdorath.

Polish judge Tomasz Szmydt at a press conference with the Belarusian state news agency BelTA

Polish judge Tomasz Szmydt at a press conference with the Belarusian state news agency BelTA

Spy scandal: Why did a Polish judge 'defect' to Belarus?

Polish prosecutors will file espionage charges against a Polish judge who fled to Belarus, where he is seeking asylum.

Belarusian journalist Maria Savushkina looks out over a city landscape

Belarusian journalist Maria Savushkina looks out over a city landscape

Belarusian journalist-in-exile calls out state abuses

Reporters Without Borders has ranked Belarus as the worst country for press freedom in Europe.

A view shows the burnt-out Crocus City Hall with flowers and candles in the foreground

A view shows the burnt-out Crocus City Hall with flowers and candles in the foreground

Could Moscow attack suspects face execution in Belarus?

Some Russian politicians want the Moscow terror attack suspects to stand trial in Belarus, which has the death penalty.

European Commission chiefg Ursula von der Leyen (L) and Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hold a joint press conference at the Lappeenranta airport, eastern Finland, on April 19, 2024

European Commission chiefg Ursula von der Leyen (L) and Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hold a joint press conference at the Lappeenranta airport, eastern Finland, on April 19, 2024

Finland urges EU to help end migrant influx from Russia

Helsinki has accused Moscow of weaponizing migration to settle a score with the new NATO member.

A woman wearing blue overalls holds a table

A woman wearing blue overalls holds a table

Belarus: FSC accused of greenwashing furniture trade

Rights activists have called for an investigation into furniture produced in Belarusian jails and exported to the EU.

Russian-Belarusian military exercises at the Mulino training range in 2021

Russian-Belarusian military exercises at the Mulino training range in 2021

Belarus conducts military drills near Ukraine, EU border

Through the three-day long drills, Belarus aims to train its troops to defend their regions.

Last year Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy announced that his country would be ramping up fortifications along its border with Russia and Belarus.

Last year Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy announced that his country would be ramping up fortifications along its border with Russia and Belarus.

How Ukraine fortifies its border with Russia and Belarus

DW's Aya Ibrahim visited one of the newly built defensive lines in the northern region of Chernihiv.

Iana Lebedeva holds her knees as she jumps from a trampoline

Iana Lebedeva holds her knees as she jumps from a trampoline

Russian seals Olympic spot in Germany despite visa rejection

German authorities tried to stop Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing on German soil. But it hasn't worked.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, March 18

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, March 18

EU foreign ministers meet on Ukraine aid, Hamas sanctions

The bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell welcomed agreements made by the bloc's 27 members.

A prison cell window behind barbed wire

A prison cell window behind barbed wire

Belarus: Little mercy for sick or disabled prisoners

NGOs count more than 40 ill or disabled political prisoners in Belarusian jail. What are their chances of release?

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in an interview with Russian state media on September 15, 2023

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in an interview with Russian state media on September 15, 2023

Belarus: Lukashenko says he'll run for president in 2025

The 69-year-old, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, said: "No responsible president would abandon his people."

A man casts his ballot during the early voting of the parliamentary and local elections

A man casts his ballot during the early voting of the parliamentary and local elections

Belarus heads to polls for parliamentary elections

Elections are expected to result in a another big win for parties loyal to longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko.

A group of people and a Belarusian flag

A group of people and a Belarusian flag

Belarus: 2024 elections will not be 'free and fair'

As Belarus gears up for its first elections since 2020, the regime is doing its utmost to keep voters under its control.

Action from the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the UAE

Action from the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the UAE

Belarus make controversial history at beach soccer World Cup

Belarus' beach soccer team made history at the beach soccer World Cup, but their presence is controversial.

Aryna Sabalenka covers her mouth with her hand

Aryna Sabalenka covers her mouth with her hand

Australian Open finals: Why Medvedev and Sabalenka played

While Russian and Belarusian athletes in other sports are banned, that is not the case in tennis. DW explains why.

Two fighters in military gear at a shooting range, one pointing a gun while the other corrects his posture

Two fighters in military gear at a shooting range, one pointing a gun while the other corrects his posture

What are Wagner Group mercenaries still doing in Belarus?

How many Wagner mercenaries are still in Belarus, and what are they doing there?

Google search engine in Russian

Google search engine in Russian

Journalists demand change in Google, Meta's media policies

Media blocked by Russian and Belarusian authorities are calling for new search algorithms from companies like Google.

Russian athlete Vladislav Larin poses with President Vladimir Putin

Russian athlete Vladislav Larin poses with President Vladimir Putin

Calling Russian athletes 'neutral means supporting murder'

Russian and Belarusian athletes may compete in Paris next year. But critics have said they will be "propaganda" tool.

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Massive increase in people smuggling at EU's eastern border

With illegal crossings into the EU on the rise, Latvia is intensifying its border patrols.

Garavsky arrives in court during the two-day hearings held in September

Garavsky arrives in court during the two-day hearings held in September

Swiss court acquits Belarus 'death squad' member

Yury Garavsky confessed to kidnapping three opponents of Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko.

A drawing of the trial against Yuri Garavsky

A drawing of the trial against Yuri Garavsky

Belarus 'death squad' member: Verdict due in Swiss trial

Yury Garavsky admitted kidnapping opponents of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko.

A Polish border guard walks down a long dirt road next to a metal wall topped with barbed wire

A Polish border guard walks down a long dirt road next to a metal wall topped with barbed wire

Poland: Political candidates incite xenophobia

In Poland, the ruling PiS party is inciting hatred against migrants to maintain its grip on power.

A black and white photo in the exhibition at the Documentation Center Nazi Forced Labor: Forced laborers from the Soviet Union arrive at the Meinerzhagen camp in April 1944

A black and white photo in the exhibition at the Documentation Center Nazi Forced Labor: Forced laborers from the Soviet Union arrive at the Meinerzhagen camp in April 1944

Germany: The forgotten fate of Nazi-era forced laborers

Forced labor during the Hitler dictatorship: A young woman from Belarus searches for clues in Germany.

A Wagner fighter is seen training a Belarusian soldier

A Wagner fighter is seen training a Belarusian soldier

Wagner's post-Prigozhin fate in Belarus unclear

The mercenaries were sent to Belarus after their mutiny. After their leader's death, will they be sent back to Russia?

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe - 24 August 2023

If Prigozhin’s dead, where does that leave Belarus? - Ukrainian Independence Day falls on the 18 month anniversary of Russia’s invasion - Slovak security: dramatic arrests in the run-up to elections - A new party enters the Dutch elections race - Meet the Armenian “repats” - French produce a-plenty: but who’s going to bring in the harvest? - And a night under the stars in a Sicilian amphitheater.

Litauen Sumskas Grenzübergang Belarus

Litauen Sumskas Grenzübergang Belarus

Belarus increasingly isolated as tensions rise at EU border

EU nations neighboring Belarus are ramping up border security, arguing Wagner mercenaries pose new threats.

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu meets with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu meets with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko

China, Belarus seek closer military ties

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu's visit to Belarus comes as both countries face diplomatic tensions with the West.

Polen | Militärparade in Warschau

Polen | Militärparade in Warschau

Poland marks Armed Forces Day with military parade

With tensions rising at it's eastern borders, Poland put on a big show to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Polish President Andrzej Duda arrives for the military parade on Armed Forces Day, Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2023

Polish President Andrzej Duda arrives for the military parade on Armed Forces Day, Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2023

Poland seeks to deter Russia with huge military parade

Poland is investing hugely in its armed forces. Tuesday's military parade was a message to Russia — and Polish voters.

Olympic rings in front of the Eifel Tower

Olympic rings in front of the Eifel Tower

EU lawmakers want anti-war declaration for Russian athletes

Russians and Belarusians could still compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Some EU lawmakers want stricter requirements.

Ukraine Krieg | Satellitenbild aus Belarus

Ukraine Krieg | Satellitenbild aus Belarus

Speculation rife over plans of Russia's Wagner Group

There is speculation that the Wagner Group's deal with Belarus may have collapsed.

Border guards patrol the area of a newly built metal wall in Poland on the border with Belarus

Border guards patrol the area of a newly built metal wall in Poland on the border with Belarus

Poland sends extra troops to Belarus border

Poland says it will send reinforcements, with Belarusian border guards behind a renewed rise in illegal crossings.

Polish border guards patrol along metal wall on Poland-Belarus border

Polish border guards patrol along metal wall on Poland-Belarus border

Poland says Belarus, Russia behind new migrant influx

Poland's border guard called on the defense ministry to deploy 1,000 additional troops.

An archive photo of a man being moved to a vehicle by Poland's special services in Warsaw on October 15, 2014

An archive photo of a man being moved to a vehicle by Poland's special services in Warsaw on October 15, 2014

Poland arrests Belarusian accused of spying for Russia

Sixteen people who were allegedly spying for the Kremlin have now been detained in Poland.

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe - 03 August 2023

Is the far-right AfD treading a more radical course? A ship fire off the Dutch coast stokes fears over electric vehicles and after leaving Russia, many dissidents find life abroad is not plain sailing. Also: the arrival of Wagner forces near the Polish-Belarusian border angers Warsaw, the struggles of being a teenager and a Ukrainian refugee and is France's Fox News swinging too far to the right?

Polish army troops stand at attention before their deployment to the east of the country

Polish army troops stand at attention before their deployment to the east of the country

Poland accuses Belarus of violating its airspace

Tensions between Poland and Belarus escalated after two helicopters reportedly violated the NATO country's airspace.

Two soldiers standing in a forest bending down looking at a backpack

Two soldiers standing in a forest bending down looking at a backpack

Fact check: Are Wagner fighters disguised as migrants?

Are claims that Wagner mercenaries are allegedly entering Poland 'dressed as' migrants accurate? A DW fact check.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin sitting in his office at the Kremlin during a video conference meeting

Russia's President Vladimir Putin sitting in his office at the Kremlin during a video conference meeting

Putin warns Poland against Belarus 'aggression'

The warning comes after Poland announced it was deploying more of its forces close to its border with Belarus.

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Poland Reinforces Belarus Border

Poland sends troops to its border with Belarus as the Belarusian military starts drills with Wagner fighters from Russia. Nicole Frölich discusses the resulting rise in tensions with Michal Baranowski of the German Marshall Fund East

A fighter from Russian Wagner mercenary group conducts training for Belarusian soldiers on a range near the town of Osipovichi, Belarus

A fighter from Russian Wagner mercenary group conducts training for Belarusian soldiers on a range near the town of Osipovichi, Belarus

Wagner fighters training troops in Belarus?

Belarus has released video purporting to show Wagner fighters training Belarusian troops.

Black and white photo of Ales Pushkin wearing beret in front of snowy background

Black and white photo of Ales Pushkin wearing beret in front of snowy background

Belarus: Prominent Lukashenko-critical artist dies in jail

Ales Pushkin, an artist and critic of the Lukashenko regime, has died under "unexplained circumstances."