Belarus
Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski predicts an increase in Russian sabotage activities after the explosion on the railway route to Ukraine.
The Kyiv Court of Appeal changed the pre-trial detention measure for doctor Maryna Bielotserkovska, a defendant in the case of the death of Odesa businessman Adnan Kivan, from round-the-clock to night-time house arrest. This decision caused public outrage. And new testimonies from victims of treatment at the clinic indicate systemic problems at "Odrex".
On November 23-24, Vilnius Airport twice imposed temporary airspace restrictions due to the appearance of navigation markers resembling balloon signals. This caused disruptions to airport operations and potential flight delays.
Ukraine returned 31 civilians from Belarus as a result of negotiations. Among them are women and men aged 18 to 58, some with serious illnesses.
On November 20, Vilnius Airport temporarily restricted its airspace due to a suspected balloon flyover, causing delays for over 1,100 passengers and about ten flights. The airport fully resumed operations around 7:55 PM local time.
Belarus acknowledges a deficit in foreign exchange reserves to cover debt payments in 2026, with only $5. 3 billion available for operational payments out of $13.7 billion on paper. The Ministry of Finance plans to attract additional resources from Russia to cover the deficit.
Poland has sent a note to Belarus requesting the extradition of two Ukrainian citizens accused of sabotaging railways on behalf of Russia. These acts of terrorism are linked to incidents in the Mika and Golomb areas, where railway tracks were damaged.
Poland is launching a pilot defense program wReady for civilians, which will last until December 14. It is designed to increase readiness for crisis situations amid threats from Russia.
Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has announced his intention to step down in January. His departure means the loss of one of the few consistent supporters of Ukraine in the current Trump administration.
Lithuania is reopening two border crossings with Belarus that were temporarily closed due to smuggler weather balloon flights. The government's decision comes after a reduction in airspace incidents, which previously led to the closure of Vilnius Airport.
Poland is preparing a response to the railway explosion, which it considers an act of state terrorism. Foreign Minister Sikorski stated that a response would be provided in the coming days.
Poland opened border crossings with Belarus in Kuźnica and Bobrowniki on November 17. The Kuźnica checkpoint had been closed for four years due to the migration crisis, and Bobrowniki for almost three years in response to the verdict against Andrzej Poczobut.
On November 17, Poland will reopen two border crossings with Belarus: Bobrowniki-Berestovitsa and Kuźnica Białostocka-Bruzgi. This decision will support residents and businesses, particularly carriers, by allowing passenger traffic and limited truck movement.
Ukrainian sports institutions have called on World Aquatics to reconsider the admission of Russian and Belarusian athletes to team competitions starting in 2026. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, the NOC of Ukraine, and the Swimming Federation emphasized that this contradicts the IOC's 2023 recommendations.
Latvia and Estonia are ready to show solidarity with Vilnius over Belarusian contraband balloons, said Lithuanian Prime Minister Ruginiene. Poland has already joined Lithuania, refusing to open its borders with Belarus.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys rejected Alyaksandr Lukashenka's proposal for talks on border restoration. He emphasized that Lukashenka does not set the rules, and Lithuania will not follow the path that they are trying to impose on it.
Lithuanian border guards stopped eight balloons and a homemade drone launched from Belarus. The weather balloons were carrying over 13,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, and the drone was also likely carrying contraband.
The Polish prosecutor's office is investigating attempts by the Belarusian KGB to recruit at least 10 employees of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NZA) in Poland. 15 recruitment attempts have been recorded, offering money and threatening relatives, punishable by 5 to 30 years in prison.
US President Donald Trump has nominated John Cole, deputy special representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, as envoy for Belarus. Lawyer Cole, who has already secured the release of 100 hostages, aims to free 50 more.
Tens of thousands of people in Lisbon protested against new labor laws, which unions believe will undermine workers' rights. Protesters are also demanding higher wages.
The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has ruled that Belarusian citizens who were under temporary protection in the country after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine must leave Portuguese territory. They have 20 days to voluntarily depart, otherwise they may be deported.
Lithuanian Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitekūnas called for strengthening sanctions against Russia, especially regarding the energy and financial sectors. He also emphasized the need to strengthen sanctions against Belarus due to hybrid attacks.
Lukashenka will pay for allowing the attack on Ukraine from his territory, because the beginning of the full-scale war "came" from the territory of Belarus, Zelenskyy emphasized.
33-year-old Belarusian citizen Yana Leonova was extradited from France to the United States. She is accused of conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling and money laundering, and defrauding the United States.
The Kremlin has created a network of agents for hybrid warfare against Europe, involving marginalized individuals, often Russian-speaking men with criminal records. This was revealed by GLOBSEC and ICCT experts in a joint report presented to the European Parliament.
President Zelenskyy held a conversation with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, discussing energy aid and the security situation. Lithuania offered support regarding gas, which is critically important ahead of winter.
Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed due to an unknown drone, which turned out to be a civilian drone. The airspace was reopened at 10:18 local time.
The American OFAC office has lifted some sanctions from the Belarusian airline.
Belarusian peacekeepers are ready to participate in a potential mission in Ukraine, a representative of the Belarusian armed forces said. However, there are no official invitations or discussions within the UN regarding this, and Kyiv does not consider Minsk a neutral party in the war.
In October 2025, Lithuania recorded 275 attempts of illegal border crossing from Belarus, almost half of which occurred in the last five days of the month. This is a record for the last six months, which happened after the closure of checkpoints due to drone cigarette smuggling.