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Human rights

Belarus: A Close Ally of Russia with Authoritarian Tendencies

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, is a country with authoritarian tendencies. Its leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power for 31 years, and his government has been criticized for human rights abuses and restriction of civil society. In 2020, the government cracked down on the opposition, leading to U.S. and European sanctions. Belarus has provided support to Russia's war against Ukraine and has tightened restrictions against the exercise of human rights and freedoms. However, the country has also seen a series of pardons, freeing over 330 prisoners by July 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has been increasing its dependency on Russia since 2020.
  • Belarus's authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power for 31 years and has been criticized for human rights abuses and restriction of civil society.
  • The government of Belarus has provided support to Russia's war against Ukraine, including allowing Belarus to be used as a launchpad for the invasion in 2022.
  • Belarus has tightened restrictions against the exercise of human rights and freedoms since 2020, but has also seen a series of pardons, freeing over 330 prisoners by July 2025.
  • The country has a significant economic dependency on Russia, with about two-thirds of its trade being with Russia in 2024.
  • The United States has imposed sanctions on Belarus, restricting transactions in new sovereign debt, imposing export controls on military and dual-use goods and technology, and restricting air travel.
  • The Department of State has imposed visa restrictions on a few hundred Belarusian officials and has suspended normal trade relations with Belarus.
  • The State Department has provided over $140 million in support of the Belarusian people and civil society since 2020.
  • The U.S. agencies had obligated about $1 million in Belarus assistance in FY2025, down from about $30 million in FY2024.

Statistics:

  • 31 years: The length of time Alexander Lukashenko has been in power.
  • 50,000 arrests or detentions: The number of people who have been arrested or detained in Belarus since 2020.
  • 7,300 convictions: The number of people who have been convicted in Belarus since 2020.
  • 4,060 political prisoners: The number of people who are currently being held in Belarus as political prisoners.
  • 50%: The percentage of Belarus's trade with Russia before 2022.
  • 2/3: The percentage of Belarus's trade with Russia in 2024.
  • 11%: The percentage of Belarus's trade with the EU in 2024.
  • 8%: The percentage of Belarus's trade with China in 2024.
  • 1%: The percentage of Belarus's trade with the United States.
  • $140 million: The amount of support provided by the U.S. to the Belarusian people and civil society since 2020.
  • $1 million: The amount of Belarus assistance obligated by U.S. agencies in FY2025.
  • 300,000: The estimated number of people who have fled Belarus since 2020, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

Sources:

  • Congressional Research Service (CRS) - In Focus white paper (No. IF10814) on Belarus (Aug. 11, 2025)
  • IMF - Belarus at a Glance
  • National Statistical Committee of Belarus - Belarus at a Glance
  • Viasna Human Rights Center
  • UN Human Rights Office
  • U.S. Department of State
  • State Department Authorization Act of 2023 (P.L. 118-31, Division F)

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