Autocrat makes comment about support for ‘older brother’ Putin as Belarusians vote in ‘sham’ presidential election
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko casts his ballot in the presidential elections at a polling station in Minsk, Belarus on 26 January 2025.Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko casts his ballot in the presidential elections at a polling station in Minsk, Belarus on 26 January 2025.
The EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said Sunday’s “sham election” had been “neither free, nor fair” and that the EU would maintain sanctions against the regime. He also declined to say if this would be his last election, adding that he was “not about to die”, and had no specific successor in mind. Amid rumours of a family succession, Lukashenko denied that any of his three sons would want to take over from him.
He also denied that the recent release of political prisoners was motivated by an attempt to build bridges with the west.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘A ritual for a dictator’: Lukashenko critics decry Belarus electionLongtime president and Putin ally has silenced media and criminalised dissent as he eyes seventh term
Read more »
Lukashenko Wins 7th Term in Belarusian Election Criticized as 'Sham'Alexander Lukashenko secures a seventh term as Belarusian president with 87.6% of the vote, according to exit polls. The election, condemned by the US and EU as undemocratic due to the suppression of political opposition and independent media, highlights Lukashenko's continued iron grip on power.
Read more »
US Sanctions Russia, Boosting Trump's Potential Leverage in Ukraine NegotiationsThe Biden administration announced new, stringent sanctions against Russia, targeting its energy sector, military suppliers, and financial infrastructure. The Treasury Department sanctioned regional payment platforms used by Russia and China to evade existing sanctions, aimed at crippling Russia's war funding. The move is seen as strategically timed to bolster Donald Trump's negotiating position if he returns to the White House, as the sanctions are designed to pressure Russia into ending the war in Ukraine.
Read more »
Belarus Holds Election in January Amidst Protests and CrackdownBelarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, known as 'Europe's last dictator,' is set to win a seventh term in an election widely criticized as neither free nor fair. The election, moved up from August to January in an apparent attempt to minimize potential protests, takes place against a backdrop of political repression, mass arrests, and the country's close alignment with Russia.
Read more »
Ukraine Launches Surprise Offensive in Russia's Kursk RegionUkrainian forces have conducted a surprise offensive in Russia's Kursk region, targeting the village of Bolshoe Soldatskoe. The operation, which involved sappers, armored units, and electronic countermeasures, came as a surprise to Russian forces.
Read more »
EU Exposes Russia's 'Shadow Fleet' Evading SanctionsThe European Union has revealed details about Russia's 'shadow fleet,' a network of hundreds of aging tankers secretly transporting Russian crude oil globally. This fleet, established after the EU imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, circumvents sanctions and generates revenue to support the war effort. These vessels operate under various flags, primarily Panama, Liberia, Russia, Marshall Islands, and Malta, and utilize deceptive tactics to obscure their cargo origins. The EU reports that nearly all ships lack Western insurance and are owned by companies outside the EU.
Read more »