Lukashenko has made it easier for Russians to move to Belarus
Belarus’s self-proclaimed president, Alexander Lukashenko, has approved a draft protocol with Russia that simplifies the process for citizens of both countries to obtain temporary and permanent residence permits.
According to the document, Russians and Belarusians will be able to obtain residency in the other country solely on the basis of their citizenship. In addition, the processing time for applications for permanent residency permits will be reduced from three to two months.
Against the backdrop of the security situation in Russia and other domestic problems, Belarus is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Russians looking to relocate. According to data from the National Cadastral Agency of Belarus, in the first quarter of 2026, Russian citizens accounted for 60% of all foreign real estate buyers, and in March, they purchased nearly one in ten apartments in the country.
As a reminder, Lukashenko stated that Belarusian military personnel will not take part in the war against Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that one should not be naive about Belarus’s role in Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to him, Minsk is under strong influence from Moscow, and most of the Belarusian government’s decisions are effectively dictated by the Kremlin.
