#Belarus Lukashenka told Macron that Giorgia Meloni "is a woman" and therefore can't negotiate with Moscow. Rich coming from a dictator who allowed Belarusian territory to attack #Ukraine, depends on the Kremlin for survival and jails anyone who challenges his rule.

President Zelenskyy says #Ukraine has intel that Russia is preparing a new massive attack. Citizens are urged to heed air raid alerts and stay safe as air defense forces remain on constant alert. Stay strong, Ukraine!

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev openly threatens Europeans after a Russian drone hit a residential building in Romania, a NATO member. He says EU citizens "will not be able to sleep peacefully" while support for #Ukraine continues. Any doubts left?

I have written extensively - here and elsewhere - about why sanctions and pressure against the Lukashenka regime are necessary now. In Minsk, they know my position well enough: I was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison, labeled a "terrorist" and placed on a wanted list across the CIS.

How awful. A Russian drone hit an apartment block in #Romania - a NATO member - injuring civilians and forcing families to evacuate in the middle of the night. This war keeps spilling beyond Ukraine's borders, and ordinary people are paying the price. Russia must be stopped.

#Belarus Inside Kremlin missiles and drones - including the Oreshnik - are Western components and Belarusian electronics from Minsk's Integral factory. Lukashenka's regime is part of Russia's war machine. Every chip shipped from Minsk helps terrorize Ukrainian cities.

#Belarus I thought they had already perfected protest suppression back in 2020. But they're still rehearsing it in 2026. Riot police in Mahiliou staged new drills with the use of firearms against protesters. Officials openly say they are preparing to prevent "another 2020."

Nobel laureate and former political prisoner Ales Bialiatski met Pope Leo XIV today and spoke about the human rights catastrophe unfolding in #Belarus. Even after years of terror, Belarusians continue to make their voices heard.

#Belarus Why did Kyiv finally invite Tsikhanouskaya? And what recent developments suggest Belarus is being pulled even deeper into Russia’s war against #Ukraine? I explore Ukraine's shifting approach in my latest for the @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social: www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrain...

#Ukraine President Zelenskyy met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya during her first working visit to Kyiv. Ukraine’s policy on #Belarus evolved significantly, and I am glad to see that the Ukrainian leadership sees the point in engaging with Belarusian democratic forces.

#Ukraine The Belarusian embassy in Kyiv is being overtaken by overgrown bushes. What a striking symbol of what the Lukashenka regime represents.

Unexpected plot twist: the Russian MFA criticised Tsikhanouskaya’s visit to Kyiv. For once, I agree with them - it’s indeed impossible to ignore 😋

Lukashenka spoke a few days ago about "our Fatherland," from Brest in #Belarus to Vladivostok in #Russia, in the context of Russia-Belarus joint nuclear drills. Just a reminder of how deeply and ideologically entrenched he is, while some still try to pull him away from Russia.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the delegation have arrived to Kyiv. It's her first visit to #Ukraine since 2020 and the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Such a strong signal of support and solidarity between our two nations.

#Belarus President Macron called Lukashenka - the first such call since February 2022. They reportedly discussed security and regional issues. But the call itself is not the problem: Lukashenka is simply not someone who can ever be trusted. And didn’t the previous call prove that already?

#Belarus Many Lukashenka loyalists openly echo Russian propaganda while justifying attacks on civilian infrastructure - like claims that railway stations should be targeted because European politicians pass through them. They also normalise anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western narratives.

#Ukraine Ukrainian Armed Forces confirm Oreshnik missile strike in Bila Tserkva area of ​​Kyiv region.

The US Embassy in Kyiv warns of a potentially significant air attack that could occur anywhere in #Ukraine within the next 24 hours. President Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had received information about Russian preparations for a strike involving the Oreshnik missile system.

#Belarus Five years ago today, the regime forced down a Ryanair flight carrying Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega. The consequences are still felt: closed skies, international fallout, sanctions and lasting damage to trust and aviation safety.

My friends haven't lost hope that one day we'll finally see each other while living in the same city.

#Ukraine's FM responded to Lukashenka's proposal for talks with President Zelenskyy by calling it "very strange" and made clear Kyiv has no such interest. Ukraine views Lukashenka as complicit in Russia's aggression and insists on accountability. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is expected in Kyiv.

#Lithuania issued another air attack warning in Utena district after radars detected an object with drone characteristics. Residents were told to seek shelter, while NATO fighters moved toward the possible target. The situation appears nearly identical to yesterday.

#Russia says nuclear munitions were delivered to field storage sites in #Belarus during joint drills involving nuclear forces. Minsk says Belarusian troops practiced receiving "special munitions" for Iskander-M systems, equipping missiles and conducting simulated launches.

Five years ago today, activist Vitold Ashurak died in prison. Since then, at least nine more people have died behind bars in #Belarus. On the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, please speak for them. Demand freedom for all political prisoners.

🧵Important developments in #Ukraine-#Belarus democratic relations: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has appointed Yaroslav Chornohor as the official responsible for engagement with Belarusian democratic forces - a notable institutional step.

Yesterday, security forces in #Belarus raided the homes of the parents of two people connected to the independent outlet, Flagstok. One officer openly said this pressure will continue as long as we keep publishing. This is an attempt to silence voices outside state control.

#Belarus Pro-regime propaganda keep threatening that Europe should be preparing for war. Russia isn't succeeding, so I'm not surprised by the increased warmongering rhetoric from Lukashenka's loyalists. Even today's drone incident in Lithuania could be considered part of that.

#Lithuania Air danger alert in Vilnius County has been canceled. However, air danger warnings remain in border areas after radar markings with characteristics typical of drones were detected near the #Belarus-Lithuania border.

Lithuania's armed forces have activated the NATO air policing mission and issued "a probable air alert" warning after a suspected drone was detected near the country's border today in the morning.

#Belarus lost another young life to this generation's fight for freedom. Tsikhan Kliukach, a former Belarusian political prisoner, died fighting in #Ukraine. He was only 23. Imprisoned by Lukashenka. Forced into exile. Then took up arms against Russian aggression.

#Belarus More than 24 billion requests and 68 Tb of traffic hit the Coordination Council elections in a week-long DDoS campaign targeting Belarusians in exile voting for their representatives. This is the new digital reality: protocol probing, disinfo and infrastructure warfare.

What's up with the nuclear drills in #Belarus? Russia and Lukashenka are using these "military exercises" as a form of nuclear pressure and intimidation. Belarus is being pulled deeper into #Russia's nuclear strategy, and Lukashenka is fully cooperating with it.

#Belarus The regime has begun new exercises on the deployment and potential use of tactical nuclear weapons together with Russia. The exercises include missile forces and aviation units, rehearsing the transport and preparation of nuclear warheads. Nuclear indimidation.

Back from Tallinn and the #LennartMeriConference, where I spoke about #Belarus & participated in the event alongside leading European and transatlantic policymakers, diplomats and military leaders. Grateful to the organisers at the ICDS in Tallinn for highlighting Belarus at the conference.

We kicked off #LennartMeriConference with a great panel and the presidential dinner. I was honoured to be seated at the President's table and briefly discuss #Belarus - not just the regime, but its people. Too often, we focus on governments and forget societies.

#Ukraine 24 people killed in Kyiv after a massive Russian strike - including 3 children. Dozens more injured. Homes reduced to rubble, families shattered. How awful and inhumane.

#Russia is still there - every day - killing people in #Ukraine. Never normalize this war. Never look away.

#Ukraine A residential building in Kyiv was reportedly struck by a missile manufactured recently, President Zelenskyy says. Russia is still obtaining components for missile production by circumventing sanctions. Latest reports say 12 people were killed in Kyiv, including two children.

One of Europe's biggest mistakes on #Belarus was believing authoritarian "stability" could bring long-term security. But it enabled deeper Russian control, repression & turned Belarus into part of the infrastructure of war against Ukraine. Europe must not repeat this mistake.

#Belarus has placed ~6,000 Belarusians on interstate wanted lists. Their names appear in Russia's database, enabling cross-border tracking and possible extradition from "friendly" states. I've been on such a list since 2021, and it's not fun. This is transnational repression.

Rescuers in Kyiv's Darnytskyi district pulled a 12-year-old girl's body from a destroyed apartment building. She is the fifth victim of Russia's overnight attack on 14 May. The death toll has since risen to 8, with about 20 missing. 🔗 euromaidanpress.com/2026/05/14/r...

Being Russia's enemy is dangerous. But being its friend is even more dangerous.

#Belarus The regime is so scared of the Coordination Council elections that it's trying to break the vote before it even starts. After delays for extra security checks, the voting platform came under a massive DDoS attack - over 1 billion requests. What a turnout, right?

Russian propaganda in one exchange: - My son went missing in the "special operation" against Ukraine. - So you have a double holiday. Congratulations!

59-year-old Minsk pensioner Tatsiana Staseva has been sentenced to prison under two political charges She was accused of "facilitating extremist activity" and "calling for sanctions." In today's #Belarus, even pensioners face prison for alleged political disloyalty.

President Zelenskyy warned of "unusual activity" near #Belarus. But the bigger issue isn't tanks crossing the border. The real danger is quieter: drones, logistics networks, military-industrial integration. Read my latest for the Atlantic Council: www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrain...

#Belarus Volha Chukarava, 50, was detained in November 2024. She had a stroke behind bars. She lost her vision. Still, they kept her imprisoned. She was learning to navigate blindly, by touch, trying to survive. Only this March, information appeared that she was released.

We shouldn't be debating whether Andrzej Poczobut wants to return to #Belarus. The real question: what must be done to ensure he can return freely and safely? He's been released. He's a Belarusian citizen. The Belarusian regime must not threaten him with prison.

Excited to join the #LennartMeriConference this year and to be among the speakers - more details to follow. If you'll be there, I'd be glad to connect.

It was great to speak with Berlingske in Copenhagen about #Belarus - where we stand politically, what we have endured, and why, despite everything, the struggle continues. We discussed repression, exile, and the unfinished fight for democracy, but also the resilience.