Sanctions-for-prisoner deal: Belarus freed 25 political prisoners after talks with US envoy John Coale, with Washington agreeing to lift sanctions on two Belarusian firms: paint and industrial coatings maker Lakokraska and the state forestry/woodworking/pulp-and-paper group Bellesbumprom. Border security & infrastructure: Belarus has set up anti-drone net checkpoints at entrances to Gomel, including roads toward Ukraine, as territorial defense drills ramp up. Industrial supply chain pressure: Belarus’ government approved imports of 9.2 lakh tonnes of non-urea fertiliser via private importers to secure farm inputs for the Boro rice season (DAP, MOP, TSP), reflecting ongoing concerns over nutrient availability. Defense readiness debate in Europe: The European Parliament backed measures to treat hybrid attacks as a form of warfare and flagged Russia—explicitly including Belarus—as the main hybrid threat, while EU leaders push for a NATO-like counter-hybrid response. Dairy JV talks: Giplait signed a protocol with Belarus’ Bellakt to prepare a joint venture to produce infant milk in Algeria, starting with information exchange and an action plan.