Latest news in Belarus? September 20th, 2026
20-09-2026
Recent developments in Belarus include the following key events:
Release of Political Prisoners: Following discussions in Minsk between Belarusian authorities and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy John Coale, 25 political prisoners were released in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions on two Belarusian companies, Lakokraska and Bellesbumprom.
New Swiss Sanctions: Switzerland’s Federal Council adopted additional EU-aligned sanctions targeting Belarus, which came into effect on September 19, 2026. The measures extend export and transit bans on military-technological and industrial goods, restrict transactions involving cryptocurrencies and the Belarusian digital ruble, and prohibit certain financial and security services.
E-Visa Expansion for India: The Belarusian government updated its visa rules to include India in its electronic visa program, aiming to simplify travel and boost commercial and tourism ties, with plans for prospective direct flights connecting Minsk with Mumbai and Goa.
Lukashenko’s Comments on 2020 Protests: Speaking at the “Youth. Belarus. Future” forum in Minsk, President Alexander Lukashenko stated that if attempts to distance Belarus from Russia during the post-election political crisis in 2020 had succeeded, the country could have faced a fate similar to Ukraine’s.