Lukashenko's Visit to Russia, Military Drills, and Humanitarian Mission: Foreign Media on Belarus

Belarusian President arrived in Russia on a working visit on Thursday. Yesterday, the head of state met with the Russian Prime Minister, and today high-level talks are underway. Foreign media are closely following the visit.

📰 Yeni Şafak 🇹🇷: "Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that his country and Russia will resolve the 'common problem' on the southern and western borders and overcome challenges despite external opposition."

📰 Business AM 🇧🇪: "Lukashenko will meet with Putin to discuss urgent issues in security and international relations. Russia and Belarus continue to strengthen their military-economic alliance."

Meanwhile, German media returned to discussing Belarusian-American relations.

📰 Die Tageszeitung 🇩🇪: "A return to a 'big deal' is possible. Lukashenko is of interest to the US as a potential channel of communication with Putin. Moreover, in Iran, where the US is in a state of conflict, Lukashenko's opinion is likely to be heard… September promises to be busy for Lukashenko, considering the upcoming SCO summit and possible resumption of negotiations with the US."

Italian journalists, however, seem confused, calling Lukashenko "mysterious" and presenting contradictory views in one paragraph.

📰 La Repubblica 🇮🇹: "There are concerns he (Lukashenko) could be drawn into the war on the side of the Russian army. Yet some hope that, due to his connections with Trump, he could facilitate negotiations."

Western journalists also found the recent operational-tactical exercises in Belarus "unexpected."

📰 News.de 🇩🇪: "Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has deployed an entire brigade—what lies behind this secret mission?"

Added context is the recent visit of the CIA director to Russia.

📰 ADDR 🇹🇷: "The timing of events in Belarus coinciding with the undeclared visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow prompted some media to speculate they are linked... In fact, there is no confirmed information that the readiness check in Belarus was initiated in response to Ratcliffe’s visit. On the contrary, available data suggest preparations began before Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow. Establishing a direct causal link appears impossible."

Belarus-China joint drills also attracted significant media attention.

📰 Leaders Radar 🇪🇸: "China and Belarus have just completed joint military exercises... China is deepening practical military cooperation with Belarus—a key country in the strategic confrontation between Russia and the West."

Another topic in the media spotlight is a humanitarian operation at the Belarusian border.

📰 Kresy 🇵🇱: "Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner exchange under a 10-for-10 scheme. Belarus acted as a mediator in this operation. Zelenskyy called it a 'special stage' in ongoing exchanges but did not explain what makes it unique."

Meanwhile, Belarus continues implementing agreements with Global South countries—also covered by foreign media.

📰 The Herald 🇿🇼: "Zimbabwe and Belarus are working on modernizing grain storage facilities in Harare and supplying vaccines, with long-term plans to build a vaccine production plant."

📰 The Korea Times 🇰🇷: "North Korea and Belarus are close to signing an agreement on visa-free travel for ordinary citizens."

📰 Institute for the Study of War 🇺🇸: "Relations between North Korea and Belarus have significantly improved in recent years… The visa agreement was reached after the summit between the Belarusian President and the North Korean leader."

Myanmar media summarized the visit of its leader Min Aung Hlaing to Belarus.

📰 New Light of Myanmar 🇲🇲: "Relations between the two countries have entered a new important stage. Despite the geographical distance between Myanmar and Belarus, their bilateral ties are built on mutual respect, understanding, and trust. These ties have evolved into strategic partnership, as demonstrated by the leaders' meeting in Minsk."