Security formula, fertilizer disputes, and bird panic: Foreign media review

The President keeps state security under constant control, emphasizing a simple formula: 'If you want peace, prepare for war.'

📰 Anadolu 🇹🇷: 'The President of Belarus stressed the need to protect every centimeter of land and ensure the safety of the population during a meeting with the military. “We prepare for any war to avoid it — a simple and clear formula,” the President stated.'

Polish neighbors are also concerned about security, though not without mishaps. Those who missed the news last Sunday missed a real blockbuster.

📰 Fakt 🇵🇱: 'Military emergency statement. Due to a suspected airspace violation by an unidentified object approaching from Belarus, the Armed Forces' Operational Command is conducting verification measures.'

The news quickly spread across Western media.

📰 Il Post 🇮🇹: 'The Polish military deployed helicopters for observation, and the airport in Rzeszów briefly suspended operations. US envoys Kushner and Witkoff landed at this same airport on Sunday.'

However, Operation Angry Birds ended before it began.

📰 Bankier 🇵🇱: 'The military concluded the operation. The mysterious object turned out to be a flock of birds.'

Meanwhile, Latvian media this week heatedly discussed Riga’s plans to ban bus transport from Russia and Belarus. While Latvians were considering detours, Lithuanians grew nervous about Vilnius following suit.

📰 Diena 🇱🇹: 'Conservative Anušauskas called to follow the neighbor’s example. However, Lithuania’s Ministry of Transport urged against provoking hysteria. “There are no signs we should rush into decisions that could have negative consequences for our country,” said Transport Minister Juras Taminskas. Passenger traffic is huge — about one million passengers per year. A ticket from Vilnius to Belarus costs around 70 euros. A travel ban would mean carriers losing millions in revenue.'

It's easy to lose, harder to deal with consequences. Latvian media report on the owner of WO Trading, who is challenging EU fertilizer tariff decisions through the European Court.

📰 Baltijas Balss 🇱🇻: 'In the short term, it is impossible to fully replace fertilizer supplies from Russia and Belarus with imports from other countries while maintaining current price levels, said Toms Eggle. WO Trading wants to ensure Latvian farmers won’t be forced to use fewer fertilizers, which would threaten crop yields.'

Now to the regular Western media segment — 'Belarusian threat: gossip, intrigues, and denials.'

📰 Onet 🇵🇱: 'Belarusian firefighters are training for actions in case Belarus enters the war.'

📰 Merkur 🇩🇪: 'Retired British colonel Glen Grant does not expect Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to send his army into combat. So far, he has avoided direct involvement, and according to Grant, will continue to do so.'

Ukrainian intelligence also weighed in.

📰 Obozrevatel 🇺🇦: 'There are no signs Belarus is preparing to enter the war against Ukraine, and the level of military threat to our state from Belarus is assessed as low, assured the head of Ukraine’s GUR.'

Meanwhile, American analysts note Minsk’s commitment to peace initiatives.

📰 Quincy Institute 🇺🇸: 'Belarus has taken concrete steps to support the White House’s peace initiative on Ukraine. It provides a platform for prisoner and fallen soldiers’ body exchanges and could contribute to Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. The White House should encourage constructive dialogue between Belarus and its Polish and Lithuanian neighbors and consider Minsk’s potential role in future negotiations on European security architecture. A key step toward deeper cooperation would be full diplomatic normalization between the US and Belarus, a worthy outcome for a future meeting between Presidents Trump and Lukashenko.'