Belarus Review by iSANS — January 27, 2025 

Belarus Review by iSANS — January 27, 2025
Photo: Unsplash
  1. MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS
  2. POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
  3. HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
  4. PROPAGANDA

MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS

Russian “Shahed” drones continued to be detected entering Belarusian airspace during the week under review. From January 20 to January 26, six “Shahed” drones were reported to have flown into Belarus from Ukrainian territory. On January 22, one drone was detected, and on January 24, five drones were reported. Most of these drones later returned to Ukrainian territory.

On January 21, reports indicated that dozens of fortifications had appeared in the Mozyr district: firing positions, trenches, and block posts. These structures are located along the R131 road leading to the Mozyr Oil Refinery. According to state media, planned combat training exercises are taking place in the area, including the practice of tasks related to blocking roadways. In December 2024, units of the 120th Mechanized Brigade (military unit 04147) were deployed to the Mozyr district.

On January 21, the press service of the internal troops reported that training sessions were being held at the base of the 3rd Special Purpose Brigade (military unit 3214) with “volunteer” units. The event includes “volunteers” from the OSN “Smerch” (composed of reservists from military unit 3214) and “Chesty” (composed of members from the veterans’ association of special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs “Chesty”). Coincidentally, the exercises began on the eve of the so-called “presidential elections,” which took place on January 26 in Belarus.

On January 22, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus reported that as part of tactical exercises with units of the 336th Reactive Artillery Brigade, one of the “Polonez” multiple rocket launch system batteries had been deployed to a position and began combat duty against assigned targets. The personnel worked on tasks related to terrain placement, camouflage of positions, and organizing area security. The soldiers also conducted electronic launches at targets up to 300 kilometers away.

On January 26, during a press conference, Aliaksandr Lukashenka commented on the prospects of the deployment of the Russian “Oreshnik” missile system in Belarus. According to Lukashenka, the plans to deploy the system are a response to the “desire and possibility of the Americans deploying medium-range missiles in Europe.” Regarding the potential location of the system, Lukashenka noted, “there, closer to Smolensk,” referring to eastern Belarus. He later added, “It does not matter whether it is in Smolensk or in Orsha. It does not matter to us. What matters is that American medium-range missiles should not reach European territory, as they could be equipped with a nuclear component.”

The growth of military spending in regional budgets for 2025 continues. Specifically, military expenditures in the Gomel and Minsk regions have reached record levels since 2022. At the same time, budgets in the Brest, Vitebsk, Hrodna, and Mahilyow regions foresee cuts compared to 2024. The total military expenditures in the budgets of six regions for 2025 under the “National Defense. Ensuring Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization” category amounted to 25,142,640 BYN, or USD 7,302,535.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

On January 26, the so-called presidential “elections” in Belarus took place. The officially announced turnout for early voting, held from January 22 to 25, broke all records from previous electoral campaigns. The dictator-controlled Central Election Commission reported an alleged turnout of 41.81%. Meanwhile, the Commission reported that at least 107 Belarusians residing abroad have participated in voting. Before that, the regime had imposed restrictions on its exiled citizens, depriving them of voting abroad, and advised them to “go back and vote in Belarus,” which could in turn lead to their arrests and conviction. The results of a pro-government exit poll conducted during the elections were summarized in the evening of January 26. According to the poll, 87.6% of voters allegedly supported Aliaksandr Lukashenka, 7.3% voted collectively for spoiler candidates, and 5.1% voted against all candidates. Voter turnout reached 85.70%, as announced by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Ihar Karpenka, at the CEC Information Center. According to official voting results, announced in the early morning hours of January 27, Lukashenka won the “presidential election” with 86.82% of the votes.

On January 22, 2025, the European Parliament adopted a resolution ahead of Belarus’s presidential elections, reiterating its non-recognition of Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s presidency and calling the elections “a sham that fails to meet democratic standards”. The resolution condemns systematic repression in Belarus, demands the release of all political prisoners, and urges the EU and its partners to strengthen sanctions against those responsible for the oppression and Belarus’s support of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Members expressed solidarity with the Belarusian people and reaffirmed support for their democratic aspirations and civil society.  The European Commission also “does not consider the upcoming vote in Belarus to be democratic” and will continue to pressure the Lukashenka regime. This was stated by Anita Hipper, a spokesperson for the EU’s foreign policy service, during a briefing on January 24. On January 22, the Polish Senate unanimously adopted a resolution on the “issue of unfair elections in Belarus.” The resolution includes a declaration calling for cooperation with the Belarusian Coordination Council (as a representative body in exile) and a call for the release of political prisoners in Belarus, who currently number over 1,200. As special guests, the Senate session was attended by the speaker of the Coordination Council, Anzhelika Melnikava, and the deputy head of Belarus’s United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka. In addition, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski urged the media to stop referring to Aliaksandr Lukashenka as “Europe’s last dictator”, arguing that “Putin has surpassed him in theft, repression, and war crimes.” Also, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland expressed disappointment regarding the presidential elections held in Belarus on January 26, which “were conducted in violation of fundamental democratic procedures”, while its head Sikorski called Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya “a person who was actually elected as president in Belarus” and called her “Ms.  President”. The Latvian Saeima also refused to recognize the “elections” in Belarus as legitimate, stating that freedom of speech is not upheld, democratic principles are ignored, and the “outcome is already predictable.” The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (the Estonian Parliament) declared its non-recognition of the “elections” in Belarus, which are being held “under strict control of the Lukashenka regime”. “Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who has ruled Belarus with the support of the Russian regime for the past 30 years, is organizing another electoral farce on January 26”, the Committee’s statement reads. Nordic-Baltic Foreign Ministers made a joint statement on Belarus, expressed their “solidarity with the Belarusian people who strive for a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus”. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the elections in Belarus a “bitter day” for all those striving for freedom and democracy. She emphasized that the people of Belarus face daily repression, human rights violations, and a lack of choice, as they are subjected to fear and arbitrary rule instead of free and fair elections. The head of the Bundestag Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, Renate Alt, said that the presidential elections in Belarus “have nothing to do with a democratic, constitutional process”. In turn, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tikhiy stated that the issue of recognizing the legitimacy of Lukashenka after the official election results are announced is “not relevant” for Ukraine. “It is clear to us that Aliaksandr Lukashenka will continue to be an ally and accomplice of Putin in his war against Ukraine, which is happening against the interests of the Belarusian people.” The caucus “On Democratic Belarus” of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine called on the international community not to recognize the results of these so-called “elections”.

Ahead of the elections in Belarus, Lithuanian border guards have increased their alertness and strengthened their forces.

According to RFE / RL, Hungary blocked the joint EU statement on the non-recognition of elections in Belarus. Previously, there was information that Slovakia was also hesitant to sign a joint statement of the EU countries, condemning sham elections in Belarus. As a result, the EU position was expressed by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice President European Commission Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who stated that “the relentless and unprecedented repression of human rights, restrictions to political participation and access to independent media in Belarus, have deprived the electoral process of any legitimacy”, mentioning that “the regime’s decision to invite the OSCE observers only 10 days before the elections, prevented this independent body from access to key stages of the election process”. The EU officials also “urged the regime to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners” and promised support for Belarusian democratic forces in exile and civil society.

During a briefing in Warsaw, the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called the ongoing elections in Belarus a farce and an imitation, adding that 37 OSCE participating states have already not recognized the 2025 presidential elections as well as a number of international institutions (European Parliament, European External Action Service, European People’s Party, OSCE/ODIHR, and others).

A huge rally of the Belarusian diaspora took place in Warsaw against the presidential “elections” conducted in Belarus on January 26. The column was led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as well as representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet.

At the “Belarusians Deserve Better” forum in Warsaw held on January 26, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s advisor, Franak Viacorka, announced the start of pre-registration for applications for the passport of “New Belarus”. Although the acceptance of applications was initially set for January 26, the process has been delayed reportedly due to a security audit that must be completed under GDPR regulations. The audit is expected to be finished by March 31, with passport issuance set to begin shortly after. Viacorka also discussed ongoing negotiations with foreign governments to recognize the passports, with discussions expected to continue until the end of summer. By the end of the year, they aim to have these passports recognized in the European Union database. Initially, the Belarusian Passport Center will operate only in Vilnius, with plans to expand to other cities like Kyiv and Warsaw by the end of 2025. Before that, Lithuanian Minister of Internal Affairs Vladislavas Kondratovicius stated that Lithuania does not recognize the passports of “New Belarus” issued by Belarusian opposition leaders, calling them purely symbolic. He emphasized that “the issue of recognition was not even raised”. Kondratovicius clarified that while the Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior is examining the validity of the passports as documents, they currently do not meet the criteria for being recognized as legal residency documents, travel papers, or foreign passports.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the release of an American citizen, Anastassia Nuhfer, from prison in Belarus on January 26, highlighting the efforts of the Trump administration in this achievement.

Human rights experts, including from the “Viasna” Human Rights Center and the Belarusian Helsinki Committeeanalyzed the 2025 presidential election campaign in Belarus, finding that it occurred in a repressive environment with little real political competition. Most candidates either supported Lukashenka or lacked visibility, while Lukashenka used administrative resources unfairly, such as with his “Unity Marathon” and pension hikes before the vote, which could be seen as vote-buying. Some speeches from candidates were also flagged for inciting hatred. Additionally, according to BELPOL, a leaked document “for official use” revealed a “temporal paradox” regarding the winner of the elections. The Lukashenka’s administration began drafting plans for his work in the first half of 2025 three months before the election campaign. Regional officials were also unfazed by the fact that the elections on January 26 could theoretically bring about any change.

The leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, concluded her visit to Davos, where she participated in discussions on Belarus’s future and global security with high-profile leaders such as Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, and Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. She also met with other officials, including Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, discussing topics like the situation of political prisoners, international solidarity, and increased visa issuance for Belarusians. Additionally, Tsikhanouskaya spoke with leaders from Japan, Finland, Portugal, and NATO, focusing on cooperation, election fraud investigations, and support for Belarusian civil society. Also, commenting on Donald Trump’s inauguration, she stated that Belarus should not become a bargaining chip or a consolation prize for Putin. According to her, now the democratic forces must work to reopen Belarus to the new U.S. president.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) submitted information to the International Criminal Court about alleged crimes against humanity committed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka, including the widespread persecution of journalists. Additionally, RSF emphasized that with the presidential “elections” in Belarus set for January 26, the absence of independent media means there is no doubt the “electoral farce” will proceed smoothly, with Lukashenka declared the winner over the four “puppet candidates.”

Intercepted phone calls and documents obtained by POLITICO revealed how the Lukashenka regime weaponized migration to undermine the EU. “The minister gave explicit instructions,” said Mikhail Bedunkevich, a senior official in еру Ministry of Internal Affairs, in an intercept of the call obtained by the publication. “We should not concern ourselves with migrants in transit to Europe.” He paused for a moment, then added: “Disappeared? All good, as long as they do not settle here. Anything that moves in that direction … we should not stand in its way.”

HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

At least 3,277 persons have been convicted for participating in protests under the charges of gross violation of public order and mass riots since 2020, “Viasna” Human Rights Center reported. The most common charge was a gross violation of public order. 3,016 persons were sentenced under this article of Criminal Code. In 2024, the most common ground for persecution was participation in protest actions back in 2020;1,019 persons were prosecuted for this.
Since the beginning of 2025, it has become easier for guardianship authorities to take a child away from parents who hold oppositional views. Now this can be done not only to families in which a parent has been convicted under a criminal charge related to participation in protests or “extremism,” but also to those who have been held accountable under an administrative charge of distributing extremist materials under Art. 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Violations  – for example, if a person posted a link to any non-governmental organization banned in Belarus, published a photo with a banned logo on social networks, liked a post on the page of an “extremist” friend, or left a comment in an “extremist” public group. Such a possibility was provided for in the resolution of the Government of Belarus dated December 30, 2024 No. 1055 “On the recognition of children as being in a socially dangerous situation and in need of state protection.” The document was officially published and entered into force on January 1, 2025. A family of a person “who has been held accountable and/or released from administrative responsibility” receives the status of being in a “socially dangerous situation,” which means that it is under a strict supervision by the authorities. Children from such families can be sent to orphanages, and their parents may be deprived of parental rights, in case the authorities decide this will benefit the child. Previously, the status of a “family being in a socially dangerous situation” was mainly given to families where parents abused alcohol or did not work and where there was a reason to believe that there was a real threat to the life and health of the child.
There are only 1,600 practicing members of the bar association left in Belarus. According to the International Observatory of Lawyers at Risk, there were 2,200 bar members in the country in 2021, and their number has decreased by 27.3% in four years. In 2020-2024, at least 11 Belarusian bar members have been charged in criminal cases, six were convicted, and at least 139 were deprived of the right to practice law. Many have been forced to leave the country.

Over the past few days, at least 20 truck drivers have been detained by Belarusian border guards while crossing the border. Their phones were checked in pursue of “likes”, comments and subscriptions to “extremist” channels. According to a representative of the cargo transportation company, even a VPN downloaded to your phone can be a reason for detention. The inspections and arrests began at the end of 2024.

On January 21, Belarusian human rights activists published a statement recognizing 15 more persons as political prisoners. Human rights activists demanded that the Belarusian authorities review the sentences imposed on these political prisoners and the preventive measures chosen, while respecting the right to a fair trial and eliminating factors that influenced the qualification of acts, the type and the amount of punishment; release prisoners by applying other measures to ensure their appearance in court; and immediately release all political prisoners, review politically motivated sentences, and stop political repression against the country’s citizens.

Propagandist Lyudmila Gladkaya announced a broadcast of a TV interview with Vasil Verameychyk, a former soldier of the Kalinovsky Regiment. The shooting did not take place in a pre-trial detention center. Verameychyk was dressed in ordinary civilian clothes. Vasil Verameychyk was detained in Vietnam and extradited to Belarus in November 2024. Earlier, he had tried to legalize himself in Lithuania, but was recognized as a threat to national security and banned from entering the EU. This interview is another one in the series of interviews with political prisoners shot by Lukashenka’s propagandists in the recent weeks.

Domains that can harm national interests will be cancelled. The relevant changes to the Instructions on registration of domain names in the national domain zone were made by the order of the Operational Analytical Center No. 6 dated January 17. What is meant under “harm to national interests” was not specified. Domains that have been cancelled due to a threat to national interests will be included in the same list as the “extremist” ones.

A sentence of political prisoner Aliaksei Reznikau, who is serving four and a half years of imprisonment, was toughened. The trial on his transfer to prison regime was held on January 22. In August 2022, Reznikau was sentenced for posts and reposts on VKontakte social network. Reznikau worked abroad, but returned home due to his mother’s serious health condition. He was detained, and three days later his mother died. In 2022, he was added to the KGB’s “terrorist list”.

The KGB of Belarus has updated its “list of organizations and individuals involved in terrorist activities.” 17 persons were added there. There are now 1,328 persons and 403 organizations on the list.

On January 24, Aliaksandr Lukashenka pardoned eight more political prisoners convicted under charges of “extremist orientation,” including a pregnant woman. According to “Viasna” Human Rights Center, as of January 24, 1,253 political prisoners remain in custody. The list of political prisoners continues to grow. In total, since the summer of 2020, human rights defenders have recognized almost 3,600 persons as political prisoners, including 656 women. Since then, many of them have already been released, having fully served their sentences.

The Investigative Committee continues to threaten Belarusians for organizing and participating in protest actions abroad. It stated that it is actively working to identify participants and organizers of actions calling for “extremist activities and aimed at discrediting the Republic of Belarus in the international arena and inciting social hatred conducted outside our country.” “To date, the coordinators of such events in the European Union and other countries have been identified,” the Investigative Committee reported and promised to give a “tough and principled legal assessment” to their actions. These threats are yet another manifestation of growing transnational repression by the Lukashenka regime.

Alena Sharafanovich, a pediatric oncologist with 23 years of experience, will be tried for participating in the protests. She worked at the Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology in Baraulyany, and then at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pediatric Surgery. The trial on charges of organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order or actively participate in them will begin in the Pervomaisky Court of Minsk on January 30. Sharafanovich is considered to be one of the best pediatric oncologists in Belarus. According to “Viasna” Human Rights Center, Sharafanovich’s husband, Ruslan Sharafanovich, was also tried in a criminal case for participating in protests. The results of that trial are not known.

The beginning of the in absentia trial by Minsk City Court over the ex-employees of TUT.BY independent media, Volha Loika, Alena Talkacheva and Katsaryna Tkachenka, was rescheduled for February 4th. They are charged with inciting other social hostility or discord; tax evasion; organizing and preparing actions that grossly violate public order or actively participating in them; and calling for restrictive measures (sanctions) or other actions aimed at harming national security. The largest non-governmental Internet portal in Belarus, tut.by, was closed down by the authorities in May 2021, and some of its leaders were detained, tried and convicted on politically motivated grounds. Part of the team that remained at large left the country and created zerkalo.io media, which mostly follows the traditions of TUT.BY. Access to the website is blocked in Belarus and Russia. The content of the website is recognized as “extremist materials” in Belarus.

The United Kingdom welcomed the pardon of 23 political prisoners on December 18. “The British government continues to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus,” reads a statement posted on social media.

On 22 January, European Parliament adopted a Resolution on the need for actions to address the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus (2024/3014(RSP)). It was adopted by 567 votes in favour, 25 against with 66 abstentions. Denouncing the ongoing and long-standing grave violations of human rights and democratic principles in Belarus, which have further intensified in the run-up to the so-called presidential election on 26 January, Parliament asked the EU, its member states and the international community not to recognise the legitimacy of incumbent dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka as president after the vote. With Lukashenka having ruled Belarus ruthlessly since 1994, MEPs noted that, unlike in 2020 there are only pro forma “candidates” to challenge him in this month’s election. While reiterating their non-recognition of Lukashenka as President and their position that the entire Belarusian regime is illegitimate, MEPs expressed their unwavering support for the Belarusian people in their pursuit of democracy, freedom and human rights. MEPs were also gravely concerned about the situation of political prisoners in Belarus. The resolution called on the EU and its member states to continue investigating human rights abuses in the country and to support accountability measures, including through the application of the universal jurisdiction principle.

On January 22, a group of independent UN human rights experts expressed concern about the proliferation of trials in absentia in Belarus without respect for basic guarantees of a fair trial. Such courts can lead to long prison terms, deprivation of property and housing, or even the death penalty, the statement says. “The Belarusian legislation on in absentia proceedings ignores the basic guarantees of a fair trial provided for by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Belarus,” experts reiterated, calling on Belarus to comply with its international obligations. It was noted that in 2024 the number of cases conducted within the framework of a special procedure initiated in Belarus against Belarusian citizens living abroad increased dramatically. Such cases were reportedly initiated against 110 persons, compared to 18 in 2023. Since the introduction of a special procedure in Belarus in 2022, more than a hundred persons have been convicted. Among those convicted were representatives of the political opposition, civil society activists and human rights defenders. »

On January 23, the Polish Senate adopted a resolution “On unfair presidential elections in Belarus”. It stated that the elections to be held on January 26 “will only be an attempt to legitimize the dictatorship”. The Senate also announced its readiness to cooperate with the Coordination Council, which was called the “Belarusian parliament in exile” in the document. “The Senate of the Polish Republic emphasizes that the independence of Belarus is an undoubted value, extremely important for the stable future of the region and the whole of Europe, and Belarus cannot become an imperial trophy of Russia. We are confident that Belarus will join the family of democratic European states in the future,” the resolution says. The document listed the reasons that prevent the upcoming elections from being considered fair. In particular, there were no conditions and institutional frameworks for holding free and fair elections in Belarus. All opposition parties, trade unions, and civil society organizations have been liquidated, and more than 1,300 political prisoners are in prison. Independent observers were not allowed to observe the elections, and individuals who observed previous elections or supported opposition candidates were being prosecuted. According to the document, voters were being intimidated and forced to participate in elections. There was no political alternative to Lukashenka among the candidates, and about half of the million voters who left Belarus due to repression were deprived of the right to vote.

On January 23, Nils Muižnieks, who was appointed as the new Special Rapporteur on Belarus, gave his first press conference. He noted that, although starting in the summer of 2024, Belarus authorities periodically release political prisoners on pardon, this does not change the repressive policy of the state as a whole. “The repression continues in both criminal and administrative cases,” he stated, – “The authorities are persecuting both relatives of political prisoners and those who have gone abroad. We are also aware of the cruel practice of re-criminalizing people who have already been released or passing new sentences that increase the prison terms.” Nils Muižnieks admitted that today one of the most serious problems in Belarus is political prisoners, especially the convicts held incommunicado. He underlined that it is necessary to talk more about them, including in the international media, so that the names and stories of specific people are heard. “Lukashenka must understand that it is not profitable for him to persecute people, it is more profitable to let them go,” he said. The Belarusian authorities do not recognize the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur. Despite this, Nils Muižnieks and his predecessors in this post constantly sent requests to Belarus authorities, including a request to visit the country. In his request, Muižnieks indicated that if he is allowed to come to Belarus, he intends to meet with political prisoners, including those held in the incommunicado regime. In addition, he sent a letter to the Belarusian authorities with questions regarding in absentia trials and criticizing this practice.

PROPAGANDA

Last week, representatives of the Lukashenka regime continued to persuade Belarusian citizens that there has never been, and likely will never be, a better leader for the country than Lukashenka himself. In the run-up to the so-called presidential elections, the regime deployed its full propaganda machinery and all available resources to promote Lukashenka’s achievements, personal qualities, and “heroic deeds.” For example, on January 20, his press secretary Natalia Eismant, alongside three co-authors, presented a book about her boss. The book aimed to “remind us of the path our president has traveled and continues to travel today, how much he has done and continues to do daily for each of us.” Eismant stressed that this was not an act of a “personality cult,” as such practices are supposedly “taboo” in Belarus.  On January 21, Viktar Sheiman, a long-time ally of Lukashenka, appeared on state television (ONT), claiming that Lukashenka had “saved Belarus from war twice” in the past five years. Sheiman credited him for preventing the opposition from coming to power in 2020 and blocking the “deployment of Western troops.” He also claimed that in 2022, Lukashenka had averted war during a time when “everyone was on the brink of conflict.” On January 22, BT propaganda presenter Kseniya Lebiadzeva used her Telegram channel to draw comparisons between Lukashenka and Belarusian democratic leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who had participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos. It appears that Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings with Western politicians provoked a nervous reaction from the regime, as Lebiadzeva accused her of allegedly seeking Western support to “organize a Maidan in Minsk and use Belarus to weaken Putin.” Belarusian Prosecutor General Andrei Shved warned of “challenges and threats” ahead of the elections, claiming they originate “only from the West” and from those abroad who are “training terrorists, arming them, and preparing plans to disrupt the election campaign or destabilize the country.” He assured that all “necessary measures” have been taken to prevent such scenarios. Pro-regime politician and so-called “spoiler candidate” Siarhei Syrankou proposed introducing censorship in Belarus. The censorship, he suggested, would cover print media, literature, cinema, culture, and art to prevent “ideological and moral decay.”

On January 21, Lukashenka criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his behavior during the inauguration, particularly for “discrediting poor old Joe Biden and poor woman Kamala Harris.” Lukashenka remarked, “I stopped listening [to Trump’s inaugural speech] when he started berating Biden, Harris, and others. That’s not how it’s done. You don’t insult those who came before you. If they did poorly, fix their mistakes, and the people will thank you. That is the essence of our presidential work.” He added that the situation in the U.S. is “unstable” and lacks “continuity.” At the same time, Lukashenka expressed his willingness to support Trump’s potential nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize if he achieves peace in Ukraine. He added, “If you are a peacemaker, work to ensure there is no war. You can do that because Americans have always started wars or pushed others into wars. If you accomplish this and want to be a Nobel laureate, we will support you.” Returning to domestic affairs, Lukashenka stated that “there is currently no need to restrict internet access,” but noted that if such a need arises, it will be done under his supervision. He emphasized the importance of citizens’ involvement in ensuring national security, urging them to “assist” security services if they notice “anything suspicious.”

On January 21, state media disseminated information claiming that the Belarusian Foreign Ministry allegedly had access to a statement by the European External Action Service (EEAS) that it planned to issue after the so-called elections in Belarus. The Ministry’s press secretary, Anatol Hlaz, declared that “the elections have just begun, yet everything has already been condemned and not recognized,” accusing the EU and its structures of preparing “anti-Belarusian actions” and “planned interference in the internal affairs of other countries.” This statement was actively circulated and expanded upon by Belarusian propagandists. For example, Aliaksandr Shpakouski, on his Telegram channel, stated that Minsk had “long ceased to care about the EU’s political assessments.” In comments to BelTA, Shpakouski referred to the European Parliament as a “gathering of idlers” and “an empty entity in terms of influence on the real governance processes.” Propagandist Ryhor Azaronak drew viewers’ attention to the claim that the EEAS statement allegedly reached the Belarusian Foreign Ministry before its official publication. He also quoted KGB head Ivan Tsertsel, who ominously hinted that the Belarusian authorities have “many well-wishers in both Europe and the United States.” Furthermore, on January 22, during a broadcast on the state-owned STV channel, Azaronak launched into a tirade of insults against the European Parliament, which iSANS chose not to quote for moral and ethical reasons. The following day, the controversial propagandist referred to Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland as the “territory of the Fourth Reich” on his Telegram channel, alleging that the intelligence services of these countries are tasked with implementing “genocide” against illegal migrants. According to Azaronak, this genocide is “approved by EU leadership, legally enshrined,” and “presented as protecting the EU from hybrid attacks by Russia and Belarus.” State media and propagandists also actively discussed the “removal” of a statement by former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the situation in Belarus from the U.S. State Department’s website. For example, the state-owned ONT channel characterized the statement as “interference in the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus” and claimed that “such impudence was not tolerated even during Donald Trump’s administration.” Propagandists emphasized to readers that the page where the statement was previously published now features a message saying, “We apologize for the inconvenience.” They claimed the statement condemning the elections in Belarus had been removed. However, supporters of Lukashenka ignored the fact that the text of this statement, like other documents from January 2021 to January 2025, will be archived as part of standard practices at the end of each U.S. presidential administration’s term.

On January 24, during the final concert of the so-called “Unity Marathon,” Aliaksandr Lukashenka declared that now was not the time for discord and promised to give a chance to those who had “gone astray.” He stated: “You are all, as one, my children! The president is responsible for each of you. If someone has stumbled, gotten confused, or been misled by wild fakes and provocations – everyone will have a chance to return to life. The world around us is changing rapidly. We cannot afford internal games and conflicts. Everyone must work together harmoniously, like a single organism, if we want to continue the path we chose many years ago.” Lukashenka remarked that in 2020, Belarusians allegedly “almost destroyed themselves,” but added that those events were a “necessary vaccine for the nation’s organism.”

On January 26, after voting at an electoral event organized by his subordinates, Lukashenka answered questions from local and foreign journalists during a 4.5-hour press conference. He stated that he had never refused relations with the West but was not going to “bow or crawl on his knees,” expressing readiness for dialogue with the EU if the bloc “responds” to his offer. At the same time, he declared that he “could not care less” about the opinions of Western countries and insisted that the recent release of political prisoners was not a response to external pressure: “I publicly declare to you that we do not want to use this process of releasing these criminals as a signal to the West. I could not care less about the West.” Lukashenka acknowledged the ongoing dialogue with the U.S. regarding the release of American citizens. He also stated that, with Donald Trump’s return to power, the problems would lie not with Belarus but with Europe: “He asked you: “Are you ready to fight in Ukraine? Then pay not 2%, but 5%.” And now you’re writhing like snakes, not knowing how to get out of this situation.” According to Lukashenka, “no America” will ever force Russia into a peace agreement with Ukraine, as Trump cannot dictate terms to the Russian leader: “First of all, Trump is neither a fool nor an idiot. He would not speak to Putin that way. And secondly, even if he did, it would only do harm. You can not push us around or manipulate us here. We have our interests, and Russia has its own, even more so.” The dictator also justified his desire to participate in future peace negotiations as stemming not from personal ambitions but allegedly from Belarus’s interests. However, he expressed confidence that even if Belarus were not represented at the table, Russia would protect its interests: “Frankly, I am not obsessed with the idea that we must be at the negotiating table. If the decisions are made without me – well, Russia will be there. Do you think our position will not be supported? Especially since it does not burden Russia, Ukraine, or the West.” Furthermore, Lukashenka claimed that should an agreement be reached, Belarusian soldiers would serve as the “best peacekeepers” on the frontlines in Ukraine. However, he stated that he is not currently prepared to send Belarusians on such a mission: “For such an agreement to be upheld, only Belarusian [forces] can ensure it – no one else. Others will pull either toward the West or the East. Therefore, they can only agree on Belarusian peacekeepers. But I am not rushing to send them there, and at this moment, I am not planning to.” He concluded that Belarus could ensure “normal relations” between “the middle brother and the elder brother” [referring to Ukraine and Russia, respectively], but doubted this would ever happen, citing Western opposition: “Not only Ukrainians but also the West probably will not agree. They will push to get their own people involved, which will not suit Russia.”

Note from the editors: We do not provide links to publications in official and propagandistic sources belonging to the Lukashenka regime or affiliated with the regime. If you are interested in obtaining such a link for research or investigation purposes, please contact us at info@isans.org

Best regards,
iSANS team

27.01.2025

Belarus Daily by email

Below please find a simple subscription form. Fill it in case you want to receive Belarus Daily by email