Analysis
Security
The Kremlin Tests Europe’s Defences without Firing a Shot
24 September 2025
Recent events as well as developments over the last two years spell trouble for Belarus. The country needs to get rid of its illusions and improve its sales pitch to the West.
Two weeks ago, the news broke that Belarus would actually be included in the “blacklist” of countries whose entry is restricted to the United States. The final list, however, omitted Belarus while other countries such as Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania will face new restrictions because of their failure to meet US security and information standards.
While the travel ban threat was neutralised by diplomatic methods, it is a situation from which serious lessons should be learned.
The question is not only and not so much about the technical side of the matter – the EU has invested a decent amount of money in the introduction of biometric passports and closer cooperation on border security.