Belarus
Russians, Belarussians suspected of foreign interference barred from Paris Games
Among thousands of applications, a few dozen were rejected on suspicion of foreign interference, French Interior Minister Darmanin says.
How Alexander Lukashenko’s tyranny ends
The never-ending job of depriving Putin of the means to kill Ukrainians
Stoltenberg bashes China for creeping closer to NATO
Biden or Trump? To the Polish president, it doesn’t matter
China and Belarus hold joint drills near Polish border ahead of NATO summit
Europe has avoided the nuke question for decades. No longer
Poland’s Tusk rails at fractured defense planning in jibe at Germany’s Scholz
Germany is skeptical of common borrowing for defense; Poland wants it.
Poland’s eastern Maginot Line raises nature worries
New border defenses running through the ancient Białowieża Forest are “all about taking advantage of natural terrain,” says a retired general.
EU approves first-ever sanctions on Russian gas
It’s a notable evolution in strategy for the EU, and came after Germany and Hungary held up a deal for weeks.
Russia accuses France of fomenting war in the Caucasus with arms sale
Paris, meanwhile, believes that providing weapons to Armenia reduces the likelihood of further attacks from Azerbaijan.
NATO should flex its nuclear muscles, Stoltenberg says
In Telegraph interview, NATO secretary-general also raises alarm about China’s burgeoning nuclear program.
The secret arms deal that cost Putin an ally
Leaked files reveal betrayal by Russia’s proxies provoked Armenia to quit a military alliance with Moscow, in a blow to Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine wants peace but can’t trust Russia
One thing is clear ahead of this weekend’s peace summit — everyone wants the peace that best fits their interests.
US expands sanctions threat against banks dealing with Russia
The sweeping new package of sanctions and export controls comes as President Joe Biden heads to the G7 meetings in Italy where leaders are poised to discuss ways to ratchet up pressure on Russia and boost support for Ukraine.
Armenia to quit Russia’s military alliance amid split with Putin
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accuses the Moscow-led CSTO of failing to honor its obligations.
Belarus and Russia to conduct joint nuclear drills
Belarus said the exercises are necessary due to some Western countries’ “plans to use military force against our state.”
Polish soldier dies after clash with migrants on Belarus border
As Poles prepare to vote in the EU election on June 9, the soldier’s death could provide a boost to anti-immigrant parties.
Germany, France fight for Putin’s oligarchs to get their BMWs and Mercedes
Berlin and Paris oppose EU efforts to stop luxury cars from reaching Russia via Belarus.
German tanks and troops in Lithuania have one goal: Scare off Russia
Lithuania is busy digging up a remote forest to host German troops.
Ukraine extradites man who organized illegal migrant trafficking to Poland
The man organized a human-trafficking corridor through Belarus to the EU, the Security Service of Ukraine said.
Poland to spend €2.3B to reinforce border with Russia, Belarus
Prime Minister Tusk called the funding an investment “in our security, and above all in a secure eastern border.”
‘We can be on the path to the EU or to Belarus’: Political thug culture grips Georgia
Intimidation is becoming a feature of daily life, even before a controversial new Kremlin-style law takes effect.
Lithuania election: Gitanas Nausėda wins first round of presidential vote
He’ll face Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė in a runoff vote on May 26.
Poland to bolster eastern borders to curb irregular migration from Belarus
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the country faces a “hybrid war” in illegal migration.
Illegal Russian cucumbers face crackdown by Lithuania
Baltic country will run lab tests to check the safety of Russian veggie imports.
Polish judge begs asylum in Belarus
Warsaw presidential aide denounces defector as a “scoundrel and traitor.”
‘Hit them in the face,’ Lukashenko tells Belarusian athletes ahead of Olympics
“Anger in sports is important,” the Belarus leader said.
Putin’s fuel problem: How Ukraine is sapping Russia’s diesel and gasoline
Ukraine is taking out oil refineries inside Russia, cratering Moscow’s supplies and sending local prices soaring.
Rethinking EU restrictive measures
Against a backdrop of alternative global trade channels, food insecurity, and a stagnant EU economy, sanctions against Russia need to be more strategic and fair to legitimate businesses.
Poland: We’re ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda said atomic sharing has been a topic of Warsaw-Washington talks.