http://www.euronews.com en Latest news from Euronews Euronews 2026 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:24:22 +0200 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:24:22 +0200 30 https://static.euronews.com/website/images/euronews_flatblue.png http://www.euronews.com http://www.euronews.com/2026/04/05/polands-border-with-belarus-sees-decrease-in-illegal-immigration-attempts-by-96 http://www.euronews.com/2026/04/05/polands-border-with-belarus-sees-decrease-in-illegal-immigration-attempts-by-96 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:24:17 +0200 The Polish government has announced a significant decrease in the number of attempts to illegally cross the border with Belarus, pointing to the effectiveness of its migration policy and the reinforced activities of its services. http://www.euronews.com/2026/04/02/belarus-passes-bill-to-crack-down-on-lgbtq-rights-echoing-similar-law-in-russia http://www.euronews.com/2026/04/02/belarus-passes-bill-to-crack-down-on-lgbtq-rights-echoing-similar-law-in-russia Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:24:42 +0200 Belarus decriminalised homosexuality in 1994 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but it doesn’t recognise same-sex marriages and lacks protection for LGBTQ+ rights. http://www.euronews.com/2026/03/27/talk-to-lukashenka-or-face-putin-freed-belarus-activist-warns-eu http://www.euronews.com/2026/03/27/talk-to-lukashenka-or-face-putin-freed-belarus-activist-warns-eu Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:07:39 +0100 After almost five and a half years in prison, Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kalesnikava has a clear warning for Europe, as she sees Belarus increasingly under Russian influence. http://www.euronews.com/2026/03/26/lukashenka-signs-belarus-north-korea-friendship-treaty-during-pyongyang-visit http://www.euronews.com/2026/03/26/lukashenka-signs-belarus-north-korea-friendship-treaty-during-pyongyang-visit Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:23:18 +0100 The two leaders sign a new friendship treaty during Lukashenka's visit to Pyongyang, deepening their anti-Western alliance and backing Russia’s war in Ukraine. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/03/19/us-envoy-meets-belarus-leader-aliaksandr-lukashenka-to-push-for-political-prisoner-release http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/03/19/us-envoy-meets-belarus-leader-aliaksandr-lukashenka-to-push-for-political-prisoner-release Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:29:13 +0100 There are more than 1,100 political prisoners in Belarusian jails, many arrested after a disputed 2020 election that triggered widespread protests. http://www.euronews.com/2026/02/18/ukraine-sanctions-belarus-lukashenka-saying-he-will-face-special-consequences http://www.euronews.com/2026/02/18/ukraine-sanctions-belarus-lukashenka-saying-he-will-face-special-consequences Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:10:05 +0100 In 2022, Moscow used Belarus as a launchpad for its attack and has been trying to drag Minsk further into its war since. http://www.euronews.com/2026/02/05/poland-detains-five-in-cigarette-smuggling-ring-using-weather-balloons-from-belarus http://www.euronews.com/2026/02/05/poland-detains-five-in-cigarette-smuggling-ring-using-weather-balloons-from-belarus Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:50:11 +0100 Polish authorities detained five men over balloon-smuggled cigarettes from Belarus, as rising cross-border incidents force airspace limits and tighter security. http://www.euronews.com/2026/01/28/belarus-joins-trumps-board-of-peace-raising-eyebrows-over-lukashenkas-role http://www.euronews.com/2026/01/28/belarus-joins-trumps-board-of-peace-raising-eyebrows-over-lukashenkas-role Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:41:41 +0100 Belarus joined Donald Trump's conflict resolution initiative despite concerns over its president's continued crackdown on dissent and support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/30/russia-nuclear-oreshnik-missile-belarus http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/30/russia-nuclear-oreshnik-missile-belarus Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:50:42 +0100 Russia's Defence Ministry released the first images of an intermediate-range weapon entering service. Analysts identified a former airfield near the Russian border as a likely site. http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/23/poland-installs-anti-drone-system-on-belarus-border-amid-rising-security-fears http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/23/poland-installs-anti-drone-system-on-belarus-border-amid-rising-security-fears Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:53:27 +0100 Poland installed the first cluster of anti-drone defence systems on a new observation tower near the Belarus border as the government strengthens security. Over 6,000 personnel to spend Christmas on border duty. http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/16/lithuania-arrests-21-in-alleged-cigarette-smuggling-ring-using-weather-balloons-from-belar http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/16/lithuania-arrests-21-in-alleged-cigarette-smuggling-ring-using-weather-balloons-from-belar Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:51:19 +0100 Tuesday's operation involved more than 140 officers from the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, Vilnius police and special anti-terrorism units. http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/13/us-lifts-sanctions-on-belarusian-potash-lukashenko-releases-123-more-political-prisoners http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/13/us-lifts-sanctions-on-belarusian-potash-lukashenko-releases-123-more-political-prisoners Sat, 13 Dec 2025 19:25:26 +0100 The US presidential envoy announced the lifting of sanctions on Belarusian potash fertilisers. In return, Aliaksandr Lukashenka released a large group of political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and one of the opposition leaders Maria Kolesnikova http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/13/underground-infiltration-tunnel-for-smuggling-migrants-from-belarus-into-poland-discovered http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/13/underground-infiltration-tunnel-for-smuggling-migrants-from-belarus-into-poland-discovered Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:15:32 +0100 More than 180 foreigners have illegally entered Poland through a tunnel under the border with Belarus. Most of the migrants have already been detained, the search for the others is still ongoing. http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/09/lithuania-declares-state-of-emergency-over-balloon-incursions-from-belarus http://www.euronews.com/2025/12/09/lithuania-declares-state-of-emergency-over-balloon-incursions-from-belarus Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:52:02 +0100 The Baltic state says the cigarette-laden balloons originating from Moscow-allied Belarus are a form of hybrid attack and a threat to its national security. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/12/08/dictators-testing-the-borders-of-europe-belarus-opposition-leader-tells-euronews http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/12/08/dictators-testing-the-borders-of-europe-belarus-opposition-leader-tells-euronews Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:04:56 +0100 The exiled Belarussian opposition leader says a "quick, bad deal for Ukraine' would endanger the entire security architecture of Europe beyond Kyiv's borders in an interview with Euronews' morning show Europe Today. http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/25/lithuania-may-close-belarus-border-again-over-cigarette-smuggling-balloons http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/25/lithuania-may-close-belarus-border-again-over-cigarette-smuggling-balloons Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:44:49 +0100 Lithuania may close its border with Belarus again after cigarette smuggling via balloons disrupted flights and spread to Latvia, warns Prime Minister Rugienenė. http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/19/lithuania-reopens-border-crossings-with-belarus-after-tensions-over-smuggling-balloons http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/19/lithuania-reopens-border-crossings-with-belarus-after-tensions-over-smuggling-balloons Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:25:56 +0100 Vilnius decided to reopen the crossings at Medininkai and Šalčininkai on Thursday, but moved the decision forward by a day. http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/14/poland-implements-new-security-measures-at-belarus-border-while-re-opening-two-crossings http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/14/poland-implements-new-security-measures-at-belarus-border-while-re-opening-two-crossings Fri, 14 Nov 2025 18:34:49 +0100 Poland has long accused Belarus of luring asylum seekers and then pushing them en masse towards the border in an effort to destabilise the country. http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/10/belarus-threatens-to-seize-over-1000-lithuanian-trucks-stranded-after-border-closure http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/10/belarus-threatens-to-seize-over-1000-lithuanian-trucks-stranded-after-border-closure Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:21:40 +0100 Lithuania closed the two border crossings with Belarus on 29 October after meteorological balloons flying from Belarus caused repeated disruption to air traffic. http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/30/tsikhanouskaya-supports-lithuanias-border-closure-amid-belarusian-hybrid-attacks http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/30/tsikhanouskaya-supports-lithuanias-border-closure-amid-belarusian-hybrid-attacks Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:30:50 +0100 In an exclusive interview with Euronews, the Belarusian opposition leader, living in exile in Lithuania, called the measure justified and urged Europe to stay united against provocations from both Minsk and Moscow. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/10/28/put-money-where-the-problem-is-lithuanian-fm-tells-euronews-eu-must-bolster-eastern-flank- http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/10/28/put-money-where-the-problem-is-lithuanian-fm-tells-euronews-eu-must-bolster-eastern-flank- Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:00:58 +0100 Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys tells Euronews that defending the eastern flank is an existential question after a series of destabilising airspace incursions. http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/27/lithuania-draws-up-plans-to-shut-belarus-border-crossings-indefinitely-after-balloon-incur http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/27/lithuania-draws-up-plans-to-shut-belarus-border-crossings-indefinitely-after-balloon-incur Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:06:57 +0100 Lithuania's two border crossings with Belarus, at Medininkai and Šalčininkai, were both closed for several hours as a result of the balloon incidents. http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/22/imprisoned-journalists-from-belarus-and-georgia-win-eus-sakharov-prize-for-2025 http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/22/imprisoned-journalists-from-belarus-and-georgia-win-eus-sakharov-prize-for-2025 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:38:54 +0200 The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia. http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/22/vilnius-airport-closed-after-cigarette-smuggling-balloons-spotted http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/22/vilnius-airport-closed-after-cigarette-smuggling-balloons-spotted Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:09:58 +0200 The Lithuanian authorities have blamed Belarus for the incident, which disrupted the travel plans of 4,000 passengers. http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/19/poland-not-an-isolated-case-what-to-know-about-secret-migrant-tunnel-systems http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/19/poland-not-an-isolated-case-what-to-know-about-secret-migrant-tunnel-systems Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:58:30 +0200 Officers of the Podlaskie Border Guard discovered a tunnel under the Polish-Belarusian border on Friday. Similar tunnels have been found in Hungary. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/10/18/tunnel-connecting-belarus-and-poland-discovered-by-boarder-guards http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/10/18/tunnel-connecting-belarus-and-poland-discovered-by-boarder-guards Sat, 18 Oct 2025 17:25:16 +0200 Officers from the Podlaskie Border Guard Unit discovered a tunnel connecting the Belarusian border with Poland on Friday. http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/07/balloons-carrying-smuggled-cigarettes-closed-lithuanias-main-airport-for-hours http://www.euronews.com/2025/10/07/balloons-carrying-smuggled-cigarettes-closed-lithuanias-main-airport-for-hours Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:52:38 +0200 Thousands of passengers' journeys were disrupted after the authorities closed Vilnius Airport for hours as a precaution. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/26/belarus-proposes-new-nuclear-plant-to-supply-energy-to-russian-occupied-ukraine http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/26/belarus-proposes-new-nuclear-plant-to-supply-energy-to-russian-occupied-ukraine Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:48:46 +0200 Belarus opened its first nuclear power plant in Astravets in 2020 amid protests and concern in neighbouring Lithuania, where there was opposition to the plant's location. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/23/poland-to-reopen-border-with-belarus-after-nearly-two-week-closure-pm-tusk-says http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/23/poland-to-reopen-border-with-belarus-after-nearly-two-week-closure-pm-tusk-says Tue, 23 Sep 2025 19:41:06 +0200 The shutdown was a result of Russia-led military exercises in Belarus known as Zapad 2025. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/19/belarus-expels-czech-diplomat-in-tit-for-tat-move-after-prague-makes-spy-ring-accusations http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/19/belarus-expels-czech-diplomat-in-tit-for-tat-move-after-prague-makes-spy-ring-accusations Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:52:05 +0200 The expulsion comes after Czech and Polish authorities expelled Belarusian diplomats earlier this month, as part of a wider crackdown on a European spy ring made up of agents from Belarus' KGB state security agency. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/18/eu-closely-monitors-possible-trade-impact-of-poland-belarus-border-closure http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/18/eu-closely-monitors-possible-trade-impact-of-poland-belarus-border-closure Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:03:38 +0200 The closure of all crossing points between Poland and Belarus has interrupted a traditional trade route between the EU and China. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/16/poland-detains-belarusian-and-ukranian-citizens-over-drone-incident-in-warsaw http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/16/poland-detains-belarusian-and-ukranian-citizens-over-drone-incident-in-warsaw Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:10:54 +0200 Authorities have questioned the suspects overnight and dismissed the possibility of "massive espionage action". http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/15/drone-neutralised-flying-over-government-buildings-in-warsaw-pm-donald-tusk-says http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/15/drone-neutralised-flying-over-government-buildings-in-warsaw-pm-donald-tusk-says Mon, 15 Sep 2025 23:10:07 +0200 The incident comes at a time of heightened regional tensions following a string of airspace violations. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/13/freed-belarus-prisoners-prominent-opposition-leader-refuses-forced-exile http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/13/freed-belarus-prisoners-prominent-opposition-leader-refuses-forced-exile Sat, 13 Sep 2025 17:49:17 +0200 The 52 prisoners freed last Thursday in a US-brokered deal with Belarus were sent to Vilnius, Lithuania. Among those freed was Mikalai Statkevich, a prominent opposition leader who refused to leave Belarus and is now missing. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/12/russia-flexes-its-military-muscles-at-natos-doorstep-days-after-sending-drones-to-poland http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/12/russia-flexes-its-military-muscles-at-natos-doorstep-days-after-sending-drones-to-poland Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:26:20 +0200 Poland closed all border crossings with Belarus as the joint Russia-Belarus military exercises Zapad-2025 begin at NATO’s doorstep. Moscow and Minks claim the drills simulate repelling an attack against Russia and Belarus. But Zapad-2021 masked Russia’s preparations for its invasion of Ukraine. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/11/polish-military-to-take-part-in-a-drone-combat-training-in-ukraine-after-airspace-violatio http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/09/11/polish-military-to-take-part-in-a-drone-combat-training-in-ukraine-after-airspace-violatio Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:23:21 +0200 Following the violation of Polish airspace by 19 Russian drones, Poland and Ukraine are stepping up their military cooperation. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/11/lithuania-hails-release-of-52-prisoners-from-neighbouring-belarus http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/11/lithuania-hails-release-of-52-prisoners-from-neighbouring-belarus Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:53:54 +0200 Belarus released 52 prisoners, including 14 foreigners, who crossed into Lithuania. Lithuanian President Nausėda thanked Trump for his support. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/11/should-natos-eastern-bloc-expect-more-drone-attacks-as-russia-and-belarus-start-zapad-2025 http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/11/should-natos-eastern-bloc-expect-more-drone-attacks-as-russia-and-belarus-start-zapad-2025 Thu, 11 Sep 2025 08:30:00 +0200 On Friday, Russia and Belarus are set to begin their joint military exercises. Poland announced earlier this week that it will shut down its border with Belarus during the Zapad-2025 drills, calling them “very aggressive”. Then, Russian drones entered Polish airspace on Wednesday. http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/08/czech-republic-romania-and-hungary-break-up-belarus-spy-network-in-europe http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/08/czech-republic-romania-and-hungary-break-up-belarus-spy-network-in-europe Mon, 08 Sep 2025 22:00:08 +0200 The Czech intelligence agency said Belarus managed to create the network because its diplomats are able to freely travel across European countries. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/31/von-der-leyen-says-putin-has-not-changed-and-can-only-be-kept-in-check-through-strong-dete http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/31/von-der-leyen-says-putin-has-not-changed-and-can-only-be-kept-in-check-through-strong-dete Sun, 31 Aug 2025 16:53:47 +0200 The European Commission President made the comment during a visit to the Polish-Belarusian border on Sunday. http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/26/former-labour-union-leader-inga-ruginiene-becomes-lithuanias-new-prime-minister http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/26/former-labour-union-leader-inga-ruginiene-becomes-lithuanias-new-prime-minister Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:30:49 +0200 Ruginienė, a former head of Lithuania’s labour union confederation, joined the centre-left Social Democratic Party just before a general election last year. http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/21/russian-allies-belarus-and-iran-agree-to-boost-defence-as-part-of-raft-of-agreements http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/21/russian-allies-belarus-and-iran-agree-to-boost-defence-as-part-of-raft-of-agreements Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:55:29 +0200 Lukashenka, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for Moscow’ full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and later allowed the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear missiles. http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/19/russians-opposing-the-regime-face-uncertainty-as-germany-halts-humanitarian-visas http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/19/russians-opposing-the-regime-face-uncertainty-as-germany-halts-humanitarian-visas Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:35:20 +0200 Alexey Moskalyov and his daughter Masha Moskalyova fled Russia after he was imprisoned for discrediting the army. Germany rejected their humanitarian visa, leaving their fate uncertain. http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/08/belarus-court-sentences-journalist-danil-palianski-to-10-years-in-prison-for-treason http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/08/belarus-court-sentences-journalist-danil-palianski-to-10-years-in-prison-for-treason Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:03:05 +0200 Danil Palianski, detained since September 2024, is one of 37 journalists currently imprisoned in Belarus. http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/06/belarus-targets-government-critics-with-continued-raids-and-detention-activists-say http://www.euronews.com/2025/08/06/belarus-targets-government-critics-with-continued-raids-and-detention-activists-say Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:18:02 +0200 Mass arrests and convictions of government critics have continued since Alexander Lukashenko was handed a sixth term as president in an election that the opposition and the West denounced as rigged. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/01/putin-threatens-ukraine-and-europe-with-hypersonic-missile-deployment-in-belarus http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/08/01/putin-threatens-ukraine-and-europe-with-hypersonic-missile-deployment-in-belarus Fri, 01 Aug 2025 19:23:22 +0200 Russia first used the Oreshnik against Ukraine in November, when it fired the experimental weapon at a factory in Dnipro that built missiles when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/29/proposed-changes-to-eu-deforestation-law-will-boost-illegal-russia-timber-trade-ngo-warns http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/29/proposed-changes-to-eu-deforestation-law-will-boost-illegal-russia-timber-trade-ngo-warns Tue, 29 Jul 2025 08:30:28 +0200 A majority of EU countries are pushing for changes to the EU deforestation law that could likely boost illegal timber imports from sanctioned Russia and Belarus, according to NGO Earthsight, which claims states pushing for the changes are benefiting from the illegal timber trade. http://www.euronews.com/2025/07/28/russias-flag-carrier-aeroflot-cancels-flights-after-pro-ukrainian-group-hacks-systems http://www.euronews.com/2025/07/28/russias-flag-carrier-aeroflot-cancels-flights-after-pro-ukrainian-group-hacks-systems Mon, 28 Jul 2025 16:17:33 +0200 Aeroflot cancelled dozens of flights after a pro-Ukrainian hacker group, Silent Crow, claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on the airline's systems. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/10/lithuanian-leaders-taken-to-shelters-after-belarus-airspace-violation-alarm http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/10/lithuanian-leaders-taken-to-shelters-after-belarus-airspace-violation-alarm Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:51:27 +0200 Fighter jets already airborne as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission were scrambled to respond to the incident when the object fell to the ground, approximately 1 kilometre from the border with Belarus. http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/01/authorities-in-belarus-continue-crackdown-on-dissent-rights-group-viasna-says http://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/01/authorities-in-belarus-continue-crackdown-on-dissent-rights-group-viasna-says Tue, 01 Jul 2025 21:14:51 +0200 Mass arrests and convictions of government critics in Belarus have continued since 2020, when Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was handed a sixth term in office in an election that the opposition and the West denounced as rigged.