Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

The release of Belarusian political prisoners Siarhiej Kavalienka and Paval Syramalotau in late September does not mean that everyone should expect a quick release of all other prisoners of conscience.

The authorities stepped up pressure on Ales Bialiacki, Zmicier Dashkievich ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

Despite the proclaimed common Russia-Belarus way to prosperity within the Customs Union, neither country is ready to sacrifice individual economic interests for this cooperation.  On 24 July Russia stopped railway deliveries of straight-run gasoline - the main raw material used ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

The Belarusian Statistics Agency reported about a fantastic growth of exports in January-February 2012. Compared to the same period last year, the country’s exports grew by impressive 62,5%.

The official propaganda trumpeted that Belarus has successfully overcome all the ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

​While Moscow has confirmed that those on the Belarus authorities' exit ban list will be unable to leave Russia either, official Minsk started to show willingness to release prisoners. It was also hinted that Belarusian Ambassadors to Brussels and Warsaw may return soon. Just ( Read more... )

Originally published at Belarus Digest. Please leave any comments there.

November and December events clearly show that Russia's policies towards Belarus are dictated primarily not by economic considerations but political. Russia is willing to spend billions of dollars in subsidies to keep the status quo in Belarus.  The European Union, on the other ( Read more... )