AGP Executive Report

Belarus–China Culture: A Chinese tea culture event, “Tea: The Taste of Harmony,” drew performances and workshops to Minsk Freedom Square on June 13, with Shaolin, acrobatics, folk music, calligraphy, paper-cutting, and a food market blending Chinese and Belarusian cultural exchange. Belarusian Arts & Media Diplomacy: Belarusian ambassador Yury Nikalaichyk met Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, discussing humanitarian cooperation and cultural ties, including potential Zimbabwean participation in Vitebsk’s Slavianski Bazaar. Arts Under Pressure in the Region: A Russian satirical artist known for caricatures of Putin and Lukashenko was shot dead in eastern Poland near the Belarus border, with reports describing a targeted killing; separate coverage also notes another Russian man killed in Poland reportedly linked to Putin criticism. Investigative Spotlight: A Belarusian Investigative Center/OCCRP project alleges complex financial flows tied to businessman Aliaksei Aleksin, raising questions about compliance and cancelled oil contracts. Sports & Entertainment Access: MTS Belarus is offering FIFA World Cup viewing for fixed-internet subscribers via MTS TV’s Sport TV channel. Fact-Check Culture: Multiple “fake card” debunks circulated, including claims about Baltic literacy, Latvia’s “government officials” numbers, and Belarus’s mineral water share in Europe.

World Cup on Belarus TV: MTS Belarus says fixed-internet subscribers can watch FIFA Men’s World Cup matches via Sport TV on MTS TV, with access to 120+ channels and online services. Belarus–China culture: Minsk hosted “Tea: The Taste of Harmony” at Freedom Square, with Chinese tea culture, Shaolin and folk performances, workshops (calligraphy, paper-cutting, knot-tying), and a food fair featuring Chinese classics. Music in exile: Russian street band Stoptime’s members—once jailed in anti-war “carousel arrests”—rebuild their careers in Europe after leaving Russia. Tragic DJ death: Russian producer DJ Dazura (DashAlien) Daria Kuzminikh was found dead in Kasol, India; police reportedly suspect an overdose while an autopsy is awaited. Belarus education crackdown: Human Rights Watch reports a countrywide intimidation campaign against students and families tied to the European Humanities University, including searches, harassment, and detentions. Sports & politics debate: A new analysis argues the “neutral playing field” myth—showing how international sports bodies use bans and isolation as political tools, with Russia and Belarus repeatedly targeted. Tennis spotlight: Aryna Sabalenka’s grass-court ranking lead faces pressure as Wimbledon and other points loom.

Belarus Education & Public Order: Minsk police will step up monitoring during graduation celebrations, with officers stationed at schools and traffic patrols around venues as 13,400+ 11th-graders finish school, alongside reminders about alcohol and public-order rules. Academic Freedom Under Pressure: Human Rights Watch says Belarus is running a countrywide intimidation campaign against the European Humanities University community, including home searches, harassment, interrogations and detentions, calling it an attack on academic freedoms. Cultural Diplomacy in Minsk: A Chinese tea culture event, “Tea for Harmony 2026,” brought performances, calligraphy and paper-cutting workshops, and a food fair to Minsk, with Belarusian and Chinese ensembles sharing the stage. Belarusian Arts & Media: A new book on contemporary Belarusian art from the past decade is set to be published, while separate reporting notes Belarusian authorities have added a Facebook account linked to Kavaleuski to an “extremist materials” list. Sports & Belarus on the Global Stage: Aryna Sabalenka’s WTA ranking lead faces pressure during the grass-court swing as ranking points fall due to recent results.

Belarusian Culture & Education: Human Rights Watch says Belarusian authorities are running a nationwide intimidation campaign against students and families tied to the European Humanities University (EHU), with searches, harassment, interrogations and detentions reported. Minsk Public Life: Police will step up monitoring during Minsk graduation celebrations, with officers at schools, traffic patrols near venues, and reminders about safety and public-order rules. Arts & Culture Exchange: A “Tea for Harmony 2026” event brought Chinese and Belarusian performers and workshops (calligraphy, paper-cutting, painting, knot-tying) to Minsk, highlighting shared cultural traditions. Sports Spotlight (Belarus): Aryna Sabalenka’s long WTA No.1 run faces fresh pressure as grass-court points loom, with Elena Rybakina closing in after Sabalenka’s Roland Garros exit. Local Arts/Community: Authorities in Minsk region commented on a rush for secondary school admissions in Novaya Baravaya, after parents queued early for a “school of talents,” raising questions about new queue rules. International Arts/Media: Reports also note a Chinese tea culture program in Minsk and broader regional media training opportunities like Kyrgyzstan’s “Eurasia” Media School.

Belarus crackdown on EHU: Human Rights Watch says Belarusian authorities have searched homes, harassed, interrogated and detained students and families tied to the European Humanities University, calling it an attack on academic freedom. Minsk school chaos: In Novaya Baravaya, parents reportedly queued for a full day before secondary school applications, with officials saying information work was done in advance and rules were clarified on site. Belarusian arts & culture: A Minsk Museum of Naïve Art has opened, promising to showcase both established and “homeless” artists, while a new book on contemporary Belarusian art of the past decade is set for publication. Belarusian tech at Fleet 2026: Vitebsk’s Display Design Bureau showcased the shipborne Adunok-2M combat module against drones, including thermal imaging and automated target tracking. Sports & entertainment: Scotland’s World Cup opener is set after a visa row nearly derailed their Belarus match; meanwhile, graduation celebrations in Minsk bring police and traffic patrols to schools and venues. International media training: Kyrgyzstan opened applications for the “Eurasia” Media School, welcoming participants from Belarus and other CIS countries.

Belarus Education Crackdown: Human Rights Watch says Minsk is running a nationwide intimidation campaign against students and families tied to the European Humanities University (EHU), with searches, harassment, interrogations and detentions reported. Minsk School Rush: Authorities in the Minsk region responded to parents queuing for a “school of talents” admissions drive in Novaya Baravaya, after reports of unusually strict queue rules and “ghost participant” penalties. Belarusian Media & Online Pressure: Reports highlight intensified monitoring of social media, with threats of prison for “unreliable” complaints and new pressure around platforms like Threads and TikTok. Lithuania-Belarus Stance: Lithuania’s foreign minister reaffirmed support for Belarusian civil society and continued EU-level non-recognition and sanctions, while stressing Vilnius as a safe space for Belarusian communities. Arts & Culture (Photo Loss): Renowned photographer Duane Michals, famous for poetic, sequential image narratives, has died at 94. Sports & Identity: Ukraine has sent appeals to international federations asking that Belarusian and Russian athletes not compete under national symbols, following IOC guidance changes. Local Life: Minsk police will step up monitoring during graduation celebrations, with extra patrols and reminders about public order and alcohol rules.

Belarus Crackdown on Education: Human Rights Watch says Belarusian authorities are running a nationwide intimidation campaign against students and families tied to the European Humanities University in Minsk, with searches, harassment, interrogations and detentions reported. Minsk School Admissions Pressure: In Novaya Baravaya, parents reportedly queued for a full day before secondary school applications opened, prompting officials to explain the rules and warn against “ghost participant” status. Belarusian Media Leadership: Lukashenko reshuffled top posts, appointing Volha Anufryieva as editor-in-chief of the Belarus Segodnya publishing house, with propaganda named as her key task. Belarusian Arts & Culture: A Minsk museum of naïve art has opened, promising to showcase both established and homeless artists. Sports & Symbols: Ukraine sent dozens of appeals urging international federations to block Belarusian and Russian athletes from competing under national flags and state symbols. World Cup Spotlight: Matchday action kicks off with Brazil vs Morocco and other group games, while Scotland begins its campaign against Haiti. Film & Music Culture: Russian war-era TV hit “Slovo Patsana” is examined as a major cross-border phenomenon in Russia and Ukraine. International Arts Loss: Photographer Duane Michals, known for sequential, text-poetic photo narratives, has died at 94.

Belarusian Culture & Arts: Berlin’s Distanz publishing house released the English catalogue “Sense of Safety. Art in a Time of War,” documenting a Kharkiv 2024 project where art and a bomb shelter worked together, with Belarusian Cultural Embassy involvement and “Bridges of Solidarity” partners across 12 countries. Belarusian Media & Rights: Belarus’ Investigative Committee says monitoring of Threads and TikTok has intensified, warning of legal action over misinformation, incitement, false danger reports, and “rehabilitation of Nazism.” Belarus–EU/Politics: The EU is preparing a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s fisheries, including a complete cod ban, and aligning trade restrictions for Belarus to prevent “backdoor” trade. Sports & Belarusian Spotlight: Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka joins TIME100 Sports, while the week also featured Belarus-linked football chatter (including a friendly result: Belarus 2–2 Burkina Faso). Tech & Defense (Belarus): A Vitebsk-based bureau showcased the shipborne Adunok-2M drone-defense combat module at Fleet 2026 in St. Petersburg, highlighting detection and tracking upgrades. International Arts: Photographer Duane Michals, known for sequential photo narratives with handwritten text, has died at 94.

Belarusian Culture & Arts: Belarusian composer and organist Olga Podgaiskaya has released her studio album “Organ Works,” a nine-piece, intimate musical response to recent years’ uncertainty and anxiety, now available via the Polish sublabel Opus-series.com. Photography: Celebrated photographer Duane Michals (94) has died; known for sequential, frame-by-frame narratives paired with handwritten text, he kept creating well into his 90s. Music & Community: “Sense of Safety. Art in a Time of War” was presented in Berlin, documenting a Kharkiv 2024 project where art helped turn a basement gallery into a bomb shelter and built “Bridges of Solidarity” across countries. Sports Spotlight: Aryna Sabalenka joins TIME100 Sports, adding to her dominant 2026 form and growing public profile beyond tennis. Belarus in the News: Belarusian tech firm Display Design Bureau (Vitebsk) showcased the shipborne Adunok-2M drone-defense combat module at Fleet 2026 in St. Petersburg. Online Rights: Belarus’ Investigative Committee warns of intensified monitoring of Threads and TikTok, targeting misinformation, incitement, false danger reports, and Nazism rehabilitation.

Arts Loss: Renowned photographer Duane Michals (94) has died, celebrated for sequential, frame-by-frame narratives paired with handwritten text. Belarusian Culture in Focus: Berlin’s Distanz released the English catalogue “Sense of Safety. Art in a Time of War,” built around a Kharkiv 2024 project where art and a bomb shelter shared the same underground space—co-led with the Belarusian Cultural Embassy and antiwarcoalition.art. Music Release: Belarusian composer/organist Olga Podgaiskaya unveiled her studio album “Organ Works,” a nine-piece, intimate response to anxiety and social tension. Belarus-Linked Sports & Media: Aryna Sabalenka made TIME100 Sports’ inaugural list, while Belarusian composer and organist news lands alongside broader European arts coverage. Online Rights & Monitoring: Belarus’ Investigative Committee warned of increased monitoring of Threads and TikTok, targeting misinformation, incitement, false danger reports, and Nazism rehabilitation. Cultural Diplomacy: Belarusian Cultural Embassy work also appears in the Berlin “Sense of Safety” presentation, reinforcing arts as cross-border care.

Belarus–Russia Legal Integration: Russia and Belarus’ supreme courts signed a memorandum to “harmonize” judicial practice and mutually enforce decisions, deepening Union State reforms. EU Sanctions & Belarus Trade: The EU proposed a full ban on Russian cod and tighter fish restrictions, explicitly aligning trade rules so Belarus can’t act as a backdoor for Russian seafood. Tennis & Belarus Spotlight: Aryna Sabalenka made TIME’s inaugural TIME100 Sports list, joining global stars like LeBron James and Lionel Messi—while French Open fallout kept her in the headlines. Belarus Human Rights Case: The appeal trial of former SOBR member Yuri Harauski over alleged enforced disappearances is set for 24 June in Switzerland. Arts & Culture (Ukraine): Kyiv premiered excerpts of the opera “Mothers of Kherson,” focused on the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian occupiers. Sports Beyond Belarus: World Sailing allowed Russian and Belarusian youth sailors to compete internationally under national flags.

Human Rights Watch: Armenia’s anti-trafficking progress gets a mixed verdict from the Council of Europe’s GRETA—victim identification improved, but labour exploitation prevention, proactive investigations, and victim compensation still need stronger push. Belarus Courtroom Update: The appeal trial of Yuri Harauski, a former SOBR member accused in enforced disappearances, is set for 24 June in St. Gallen, after an earlier acquittal and renewed scrutiny of his statements. Belarus–Catholic Church Pressure: Belarus has expelled foreign Catholic clergy by refusing residency renewals, tightening control over Polish priests and a monk across multiple dioceses. Belarus in the Wider News: Belarus reportedly boosted rail exports of gasoline and diesel to Russia in May amid fuel shortages tied to refinery disruptions. Arts & Culture Spotlight: A new book on contemporary Belarusian art from the past decade is set to be published, while Brest is also seeing fresh controversy over a new “military-patriotic” mural project. Sports & Entertainment: World Sailing has allowed Russian youth athletes to compete under their national flag, and Belarus is included—an international sports policy shift with cultural ripple effects.

Belarus–Ghana Diplomacy: President John Dramani Mahama’s landmark visit to Minsk included a wreath-laying at the Victory Monument and ended with memoranda to deepen cooperation, with Lukashenko framing the ties as a new, more structured partnership. Contemporary Belarusian Art: Open Muzej is preparing a book mapping Belarusian art from 2015–2025, built through an online “Revision and Collection” lab with seminars and collaborative writing, as the application deadline moves to June 15. Catholic Church Pressure: Belarus has expelled several Polish Catholic clergy by refusing to renew residency permits, part of a wider tightening of administrative control over foreign priests. Brest Public Art Backlash: A new large military-patriotic mural in Brest has drawn sharp criticism online, with residents questioning the “decorative patriotism” and the identity of the depicted serviceman. Sports & Culture Crossovers: Belarus is mentioned in international sport updates, including World Sailing allowing Russian youth athletes to compete under national flags and Belarusian athletes returning to full participation. World Cup Buzz: Ireland’s women’s team is headed to World Cup play-offs after France clinched qualification, with the draw including Belarus among possible opponents. Media & Fact-Checking: Belarusian state narratives were challenged by multiple fact-checks, including claims about Lukashenko’s popularity in Poland/Baltics and WWII-style military parallels.

Belarus–Ghana Focus: Lukashenko met Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama in Minsk, pitching Belarus as a “reliable ally” for Africa’s “western flank” and highlighting agriculture, manufactured goods, and vocational training as key cooperation areas. Belarus in the UN Spotlight: Belarus helped push through a UN resolution in Vienna on combating trafficking in persons for forced criminality, stressing victim protection and the role of social media and digital recruitment. Fact-Check Roundup: Belarusian state media claims about Lukashenko’s popularity in the Baltics/Poland were flagged false, and another historical parallel about NATO units at the Belarus border was also debunked. Sports & Culture Calendar: Belarus plays Burkina Faso in a men’s friendly today, while Minsk’s arts scene gets a boost with a new Museum of Naïve Art opening to showcase both established and “homeless” artists. EU Russia Sanctions: The EU unveiled a new sanctions package targeting Russia, including tougher entry rules for military personnel and an energy pricing freeze. Ukraine War Rhetoric: Russia’s nuclear threats escalated in parallel with US warnings that the Ukraine war is a “strategic disaster” for the Kremlin.

Belarus in the UN spotlight: A UN Commission resolution initiated by Belarus was adopted in Vienna, focusing on combating trafficking in persons for forced criminality and urging stronger laws, victim protection, and safer digital recruitment. Fact-checks hitting state narratives: Belarusian state media claims about Lukashenko’s popularity in the Baltics/Poland, NATO “WWII-matching” units at the border, and Japan’s “Soviet magazine” role in its economic miracle were all debunked; another claim about Poland “kicking out” migrant doctors was also largely rejected. Minsk culture gets a new address: A Museum of Naïve Art opened in Minsk’s Arena City, promising works by both European-recognized artists and “homeless” creators, plus pieces from residents of a psychoneurological care home. Sports & media moments with Belarus links: Roland Garros’ Russian-neutrality rules hit headlines again after security removed a Russian flag during Mirra Andreeva’s celebrations; meanwhile, Belarusian Olympic Committee-backed events included an Omani skating team showcase in Belarus. Arts beyond Belarus: Ukraine’s Met Opera co-commission premiered in Kyiv with “Mothers of Kherson,” an opera based on real rescues of abducted children.

Roland Garros Buzz: Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, but the celebration was briefly interrupted when security removed a Russian flag from the stands under “neutral athlete” rules. Belarus Culture: A new Museum of Naïve Art opened in Minsk’s Arena City, promising shows of both European-recognized and “street-found” artists, plus works from residents of a psychoneurological care home. Belarus-Ukraine Arts: A Ukrainian opera, “Mothers of Kherson,” premiered in Kyiv, telling the story of women traveling via Poland, Belarus and Russia to rescue children held in occupied Crimea. Sports & Entertainment: Roger Federer is set for a U.S. Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium, teaming up with Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe. Local Life Policy: Belarus’ Economy Ministry proposes new restrictions for gardening associations, including limits on renting garden houses for entertainment and event hosting. International Spotlight: Belarus is pushing deeper ties with Ghana, with Lukashenka framing agriculture as a key focus.