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However, its 60th place ranking in the United Nations' Human Development Index places it in the category of states with; "very high" human development. Ever since the emergence of statehood in the territory of Belarus and up to the end of the 18th century, the country belonged to the Western, rather than Eastern, tradition of Christianity.. Angela Davis, 79, was . We unlock the potential of millions of people worldwide. It is one of the most equal countries in the world,[215] with one of the lowest Gini-coefficient measures of national resource distribution, and its ranks 82nd in GDP per capita .Belarus has trade relations with over 180 countries. [citation needed] The borders of the Byelorussian SSR and Poland were redrawn, in accord with the 1919-proposed Curzon Line. [260], By the 16th century, Polotsk resident Francysk Skaryna translated the Bible into Belarusian. [48] During this time, the duchy was involved in several military campaigns, including fighting on the side of Poland against the Teutonic Knights at the Battle of Grunwald in 1410; the joint victory allowed the duchy to control the northwestern borderlands of Eastern Europe. Geopolitically, Belarus. Belarus is the only country after Pakistan to have its relationship with China described that way. [62][69] In the 1920s and 1930s, Soviet agricultural and economic policies, including collectivization and five-year plans for the national economy, led to famine and political repression. Anyone from outside the duchy gaining rights to a property would actually own it only after swearing allegiance to the Grand Duke of Lithuania (a title dually held by the King of Poland). MOFA mentioned that Belarus and any other country's acceptance of China's "absurd remarks" that belittle Taiwan's . [170] Belarus also has strong ties with Syria,[171] considered a key partner in the Middle East. We give money to Belarus, which is Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's closest ally. In 2011, Belarus suffered a severe economic crisis attributed to Lukashenko's government's centralized control of the economy, with inflation reaching 108.7%. [82] This policy involved sending Russians from various parts of the Soviet Union and placing them in key positions in the Byelorussian SSR government. After the World War, most literature focussed on war-related topics. A court on Friday sentenced Belarus' top human rights advocate and one of the winners of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, to 10 years in prison. [80], The German occupation in 19411944 and war on the Eastern Front devastated Belarus. [225] GDP only began to rise in 1996;[226] the country was the fastest-recovering former Soviet republic in the terms of its economy. Users of this site are cautioned that new general licenses may be enacted, revoked or amended at any time; accordingly, the list and attachments made . The chairs of executive committees for raions and city of oblast subordinations are appointed by the regional executive committees at the level above; the chairs of executive committees for towns of raion subordination, settlements and villages are appointed by their councils, but upon the recommendation of the raion executive committees. [85][86], By the late 1980s, political liberalization led to a national revival, with the Belarusian Popular Front becoming a major pro-independence force. In 2007, Belarus's population declined by 0.41% and its fertility rate was 1.22,[246] well below the replacement rate. He spent the World War I years in Soviet Belarus, becoming one of the country's most distinguished artists and a member of the modernist avant-garde and was a founder of the Vitebsk Arts College. The depreciation was even steeper on the black market and financial collapse seemed imminent as citizens rushed to exchange their rubles for dollars, euros, durable goods, and canned goods. [35][36] In Russia, the usage of Belorussia is still very common. [118][119] These include not only corporate offices and individual officers of government but also private individuals who work in the state-owned enterprise industrial sector. About us. After Stalin's death in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev continued his predecessor's cultural hegemony program, stating, "The sooner we all start speaking Russian, the faster we shall build communism. , ", "Number and territorial distribution of the population", "Belarus GDP Distribution Across Economic Sectors", "The Russian-Belarusian Union and the Near Abroad", "Russia may cut oil supplies to ally Belarus Putin", "What Are The Biggest Industries In Belarus? The former Soviet republic was occupied by the Nazis between 1941 and 1944, when it lost 2.2 million. [242] [45] There are no sources of military seizure, but the annals affirm the alliance and united foreign policy of Polotsk and Lithuania for decades. [73][74] Use of the Belarusian language was discouraged. In the years following the union, the process of gradual Polonization of both Lithuanians and Ruthenians gained steady momentum. Average Belarusians still remember his heyday - and the pledges that never came through. [205] Each raion has its own legislative authority, or raion council, (Belarusian: ; Russian: ) elected by its residents, and an executive authority or raion administration appointed by oblast executive powers. eligowski later in his memoir which was published in London in 1943 condemned the annexation of the Republic by Poland, as well as the policy of closing Belarusian schools and general disregard of Marshal Jzef Pisudski's confederation plans by Polish ally.[68]. Other large cities are Mogilev (365,100), Vitebsk (342,400), Grodno (314,800) and Brest (298,300). [203] On 2 December 2021, the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and Canada imposed new sanctions on Belarus. The red-green flag, which has an embroidered pattern along one side, was introduced in 1951, when Belarus won a seat at the UN despite still being part of the Soviet Union. ", "One Week After Election, Belarus Sees Giant Protests Against 'Europe's Last Dictator', "Belarus: inside Europe's last dictatorship", "Belarus's Lukashenko: 'Better a dictator than gay', "Belarus suspended from the Council of Europe", "Belarus Office of the Directorate General of Programmes", "OSCE Report on the October 2004 parliamentary elections", "Belarus in the aftermath of the Presidential election of 19 March 2006", "Police guard threatened to rape Belarus Free Theatre director after election protest", Belarus opposition leader Andrei Sannikov jailed, "Belarus: 7 presidential candidates face 15 years", "Why Belarus' Dictator Is Not Fond of Applause", "Belarus: EU imposes sanctions as Lukashenko orders police to clear the streets", "UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases", "Russia-Belarus relations: The future of the union state", "CIS: Foreign Ministers, Heads Of State Gather In Minsk For Summit", "The U.S. Was Set to Send an Ambassador to Belarus. [264], Music in Belarus largely comprises a rich tradition of folk and religious music. [73][74] Nonetheless, compared to the (larger) Ukrainian minority, Belarusians were much less politically aware and active, and thus suffered fewer repressions than the Ukrainians. Treaties in 1995 and 1996 demarcated Belarus's borders with Latvia and Lithuania, and Belarus ratified a 1997 treaty establishing the Belarus-Ukraine border in 2009. Our assessments, publications and research spread knowledge, spark enquiry and aid understanding around the world. Andrei Arlovski, who was born in Babruysk, Byelorussian SSR, is a current UFC fighter and the former UFC heavyweight champion of the world. Political activists like me should not be imprisoned simply for making YouTube videos. Each chamber has the ability to veto any law passed by local officials if it is contrary to the constitution. It's just that, IMO, the data from the whole post-communist region show that the countries that adopted shock therapy fully actually ended The Byelorussian SSR was the hardest-hit Soviet republic in World War II; it remained in Nazi hands until 1944. From manipulated elections, to a centrally planned economy, [151], In the 2006 presidential election, Lukashenko was opposed by Alaksandar Milinkievi, who represented a coalition of opposition parties, and by Alaksandar Kazulin of the Social Democrats. Belarus, by constitution, is a presidential republic with separation of powers, governed by a president and the National Assembly. [122], Natural resources include peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomite (limestone), marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay. [253] The Lipka Tatars, numbering over 15,000, are predominantly Muslims. They were decorated with ornate patterns influenced by the neighboring cultures: Poles, Lithuanians, Latvians, Russians, and other European nations. The Zarubintsy culture later became widespread at the beginning of the 1st millennium. It was the last Soviet republic where the communist economic system worked and it was also the most militarized. 2 min read. -0.31 -0.32%. [122] About 70% of the radiation from neighboring Ukraine's 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster entered Belarusian territory, and about a fifth of Belarusian land (principally farmland and forests in the southeastern regions) was affected by radiation fallout. Russia agrees to sell Belarus gas at 60% below the price charged to other European countries, . The incumbent regime, steered for the past twenty years by de facto dictator Alexander Lukashenko, is arguably more centralized than the one in Moscow. The US has given hundreds of millions of dollars to Zimbabwe, a country with one of the most anti-American voting records in the UN. 1919 - The Russian Red Army conquers Belarus, and establishes communist rule. Bieder, H. (2000): Konfession, Ethnie und Sprache in Weiruland im 20. [194] In an interview from September 2020 Lukashenko claimed that detainees faked their bruises, saying, "Some of the girls there had their butts painted in blue". Each region of Belarus has developed specific design patterns. [101][102] Lukashenko announced a new law in 2014 that will prohibit kolkhoz workers (around 9% of total work force) from leaving their jobs at willa change of job and living location will require permission from governors. Opposition parties are permitted, but they have had little electoral success. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is in the midst of a three-day visit to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping . The Belarusian church entered into a full communion with the Latin Church through the Union of Brest in 1595, while keeping its Byzantine liturgy in the Church Slavonic language. Noticeable gymnasts include Inna Zhukova, who earned silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Liubov Charkashyna, who earned bronze at the 2012 London Olympics and Melitina Staniouta, Bronze All-Around Medalist of the 2015 World Championships. 275-316) Lszl Nndor Magyari The unemployment rate has been in decline since 2003, and the overall rate of employment is the highest since statistics were first compiled in 1995. [231], The labor force consists of more than four million people, among whom women hold slightly more jobs than men. [246], According to the census of November 2011, 58.9% of all Belarusians adhered to some kind of religion; out of those, Eastern Orthodoxy made up about 82%: Eastern Orthodox in Belarus are mainly part of the Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, though a small Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church also exists. Belarus has a population density of about 50 people per square kilometre (127 per sqmi); 70% of its total population is concentrated in urban areas. [62][63] Immediately afterwards, the PolishSoviet War ignited, and the territory of Belarus was divided between Poland and Soviet Russia. ", "No Job? Many early Rus' principalities were virtually razed or severely affected by a major Mongol invasion in the 13th century, but the lands of modern-day Belarus avoided the brunt of the invasion and eventually joined the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. [266] The National Academic Theatre of Ballet in Minsk was awarded the Benois de la Dance Prize in 1996 as the top ballet company in the world. [180], Belarus has not expressed a desire to join NATO but has participated in the Individual Partnership Program since 1997,[181] and Belarus provided refueling and airspace support for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Smokescreen: India's fragile batting from Delhi, Nagpur gapingly exposed in Indore Batting of Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar covered the fragile nature of India's top-order batting in the first two Tests of the India-Australia series. It also blasted Belarus for being subservient to China. The ballet Nightingale by M. Kroshner was composed during the Soviet era and became the first Belarusian ballet showcased at the National Academic Vialiki Ballet Theatre in Minsk. Belarus has so far won five medals (two silvers and three bronzes) at the 2nd edition of the Children of Asia Games. [243] Minsk, the nation's capital and largest city, was home to 1,937,900 residents in 2015[update]. Upon the death of Kievan Rus' ruler Yaroslav I the Wise in 1054, the state split into independent principalities. [150], Neither the pro-Lukashenko parties, such as the Belarusian Socialist Sporting Party and the Republican Party of Labour and Justice nor the People's Coalition 5 Plus opposition parties, such as the Belarusian People's Front and the United Civil Party of Belarus, won any seats in the 2004 elections. The present borders of Belarus were established during the turmoil of the World War Two. [275] She also won the gold medal in mixed doubles at the 2012 Summer Olympics with Max Mirnyi, who holds ten Grand Slam titles in doubles. He was named by Svetlana Alexievich, the Belarusian winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2015, as "her main teacher, who helped her to find a path of her own". At first, a policy of "Belarusianization" was followed in the newly formed Byelorussian SSR. The Americans and British feared. [166][167] Diplomatic relations remained tense, and in 2004, the United States passed the Belarus Democracy Act, which authorized funding for anti-government Belarusian NGOs, and prohibited loans to the Belarusian government, except for humanitarian purposes. Incorporation into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania resulted in an economic, political and ethno-cultural unification of Belarusian lands. [140] The members of this council need not be members of the legislature and are appointed by the president. [citation needed]. [198] Lithuanian authorities and top European officials Ursula von der Leyen, Josep Borrell condemned the usage of migrants as a weapon and suggested that Belarus could be subject to further sanctions. Vietnam. The Communist Party of China is the founding and sole governing political party of the People's Republic of China. MOSCOW Not so long ago, the image of Belarus was of a peaceful, if tightly controlled, former Soviet republic, squeezed between Poland and Russia. [106] Neighbouring countries Poland and Lithuania do not recognize Lukashenko as the legitimate president of Belarus and the Lithuanian government has allotted a residence for main opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other members of the Belarusian opposition in Vilnius. Please try to keep recent events in historical perspective and add more content related to non-recent events. Local government in Belarus is administered by administrative-territorial units (Belarusian: - ; Russian: - ), and occurs on two levels: basic and primary. [79] Most of Western Belarus became part of the Reichskommissariat Ostland in 1941, but in 1943 the German authorities allowed local collaborators to set up a client state, the Belarusian Central Council. Bankers in China are being told to rectify their mindsets, clean up their "hedonistic" lifestyles and stop copying Western ways. [234], On 23 May 2011, the ruble depreciated 56% against the United States dollar. 1919 - The Russian Red Army conquers Belarus, and establishes communist rule. Belarus is not in the European Union (EU). The runner-up opposition leader Andrei Sannikov received less than 3% of the vote; independent observers criticized the election as fraudulent. [47] Of the principalities held by the duchy, nine of them were settled by a population that would eventually become the Belarusians. [143], Belarus has often been described as "Europe's last dictatorship" by some media outlets, politicians and authors due to its authoritarian government. . Anyone who remembers Ukraine in 1989. (ed. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. [122] About 40% of Belarus is covered by forests. [251] President Lukashenko has stated that Orthodox and Catholic believers are the "two main confessions in our country". The third Article of the Statutes established that all lands of the duchy will be eternally within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and never enter as a part of other states. [142], Lukashenko has been frequently described as the "last dictator" in Europe in media. Belarus is also known for its strong rhythmic gymnasts. [217] The growth rate is much lower than for the economy as a wholeabout 2.2% in 2021. Several poets and authors went into exile after the Nazi occupation of Belarus and would not return until the 1960s. It has been run by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994. Except for China, the numbers for most comrades are weak in GDP as well as human development see Belarus, North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and Venezuela. "[82], Soviet Belarusian communist politician Andrei Gromyko, who served as Soviet foreign minister (19571985) and as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (19851988), was responsible for many top decisions on Soviet foreign policy until he was replaced by Eduard Shevardnadze. Numerous Belarusian players are present in the Kontinental Hockey League in Eurasia, particularly for Belarusian club HC Dinamo Minsk, and several have also played in the National Hockey League in North America. [38][39] The etymology of the word Gudija is not clear. [153], After the December completion of the 2010 presidential election, Lukashenko was elected to a fourth straight term with nearly 80% of the vote in elections. In 2015, 39.3% of Belarusians were employed by state-controlled companies, 57.2% were employed by private companies (in which the government has a 21.1% stake) and 3.5% were employed by foreign companies. Until it became independent in 1991, Belarus, formerly known as Belorussia or White Russia, was the smallest of the three Slavic republics included in the Soviet Union (the larger two being Russia and Ukraine). [263] The free development of literature occurred only in Polish-held territory until Soviet occupation in 1939. The Belarusian team . The Nordic countries perform best overall, but the West's two major challengers do poorly in the cultivation of human and humane values. [255] Minorities also speak Polish, Ukrainian and Eastern Yiddish. [123][124] The country lies within two ecoregions: Sarmatic mixed forests and Central European mixed forests. According to Article 16 of the Constitution, Belarus has no official religion. [104], Mass protests erupted across the country following the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential election,[105] in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. China is one of the few remaining Communist countries. In my message of congratulations that reflected the position of me as the President of Belarus and my family, I honestly admitted that we were really worried about the outcomes of the congress of the Chinese Communist Party. On December 25, 1991, the United States recognized the independence of the Republic of Belarus, and on December 28, 1991, Belarus and the United States established diplomatic relations. The number of people employed in the industry is 34.7% of the working population. [222] In 2005, GDP increased by 9.9%; the inflation rate averaged 9.5%. For criminal cases, the highest court of appeal is the Supreme Court. [158], The Byelorussian SSR was one of the two Soviet republics that joined the United Nations along with the Ukrainian SSR as one of the original 51 members in 1945. Belarus, country of eastern Europe. [159] Belarus and Russia have been close trading partners and diplomatic allies since the breakup of the Soviet Union. " BYN -- - - ", " - ", "Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom Belarus", " ", "International Programs: International Data Base", "Religion and denominations in the Republic of Belarus", "Belarusian Religion statistics, definitions and sources", "Belarus, Roman Catholic Church may ink cooperation agreement", "Population classified by knowledge of the Belarusian and Russian languages by region and Minsk City", "The Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk amazes with its artistic atmosphere, popular artistes, hundreds of events and thousands of reasons to enjoy", "Belarus entry to the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest", " : , ", Cultures Profile Project Eating the Belarusian Way, "Queen Victoria takes the throne determined to court further success", Bibliography of the history of Belarus and Byelorussia, "The European Union and Belarus: Democracy Promotion by Technocratic Means? The bloc is a political and economic union, consisting of 27 member states. . . . While the freedom of worship is granted in the same article, religious organizations deemed harmful to the government or social order can be prohibited. The main trading partners are Russia, which accounts for about 45% of Belarusian exports and 55% of imports, and the EU countries, which account for 25% of exports and 20% of imports. Kazulin was detained and beaten by police during protests surrounding the All Belarusian People's Assembly. [193] At least three detainees suffered injuries indicative of sexual violence in Okrestino prison in Minsk or on the way there. [233] As part of the Union of Russia and Belarus, both states have discussed using a single currency along the same lines as the Euro. [120], Belarus lies between latitudes 51 and 57 N, and longitudes 23 and 33 E. Its extension from north to south is 560km (350mi), from west to east is 650km (400mi). [42] Invaders from Asia, among whom were the Huns and Avars, swept through c. 400600 AD, but were unable to dislodge the Slavic presence.[43]. To the left of this baby, on a bank of red and pink roses, luscious and so alive, a banner is unfurled; it reads 'COMMUNIST PARTY'. [55] The Belarusian territories acquired by the Russian Empire under the reign of CatherineII[56] were included into the Belarusian Governorate (Russian: -) in 1796 and held until their occupation by the German Empire during World War I. [60], In a Russification drive in the 1840s, Nicholas I prohibited use of the Belarusian language in public schools, campaigned against Belarusian publications and tried to pressure those who had converted to Catholicism under the Poles to reconvert to the Orthodox faith. [135] Alexander Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus since 1994. MOFA condemned the Chinese Communist Party's "continuous spread of false statements" and its practice of forcing other countries to agree with its claims. During this period, Anatoly Bogatyrev, creator of the opera In Polesye Virgin Forest, served as the "tutor" of Belarusian composers. Prezydent Biaorusi chce zakaza kochonikom odchodzi z pracy", "In chase of upgrade: serfdom for woodworkers? There is no better example of communism's. [51] This union set in motion the developments that eventually resulted in the formation of the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth, created in 1569 by the Union of Lublin. This figure represented a staggering quarter of the prewar population. [269][270], The traditional Belarusian dress originates from the Kievan Rus' period. Its net migration rate is +0.38 per 1,000, indicating that Belarus experiences slightly more immigration than emigration. [46] Trying to avoid the Tatar Yoke, the Principality of Minsk sought protection from Lithuanian princes further north and in 1242, the Principality of Minsk became a part of the expanding Grand Duchy of Lithuania. [209] In either case, the councils have the power to approve or reject a nonimee for executive committee chair. Occupied by Nazi Germany, Belarus was retaken by Stalin's Russia in 1944 and remained under Soviet control until declaring its sovereignty on July 27, 1990 and independence from the Soviet Union on August 25, 1991. In January 1919 a part of Belarus under Bolshevik Russian control was declared the Socialist Soviet Republic of Byelorussia (SSRB) for just two months, but then merged with the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (LSSR) to form the Socialist Soviet Republic of Lithuania and Belorussia (SSR LiB), which lost control of its territories by August. [70], The western part of modern Belarus remained part of the Second Polish Republic. Published 1994, amended in 1996", "SectionV: Local government and self-government", "STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS FOR LOCAL GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME", " ", " - ", " 434 20.10.1995. [71][citation needed][72] After an early period of liberalization, tensions between increasingly nationalistic Polish government and various increasingly separatist ethnic minorities started to grow, and the Belarusian minority was no exception. The unemployment rate, according to government statistics, was 1.5% in 2005. Washington and Beijing are competing . Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) North Korea. Foods are usually either slowly cooked or stewed. We even give money to Communist Cuba a country our own government has designated as a state sponsor of terrorism," Haley said. [41] The region was first permanently settled by Baltic tribes in the 3rd century. Then Came the Crackdown", "Modest Advances in US-Belarus Relations", "Belarus Democracy Act Will Help Cause of Freedom, Bush Says", "China's Xi promises Belarus $1 billion in loans", "China, Belarus agree to upgrade economic ties", "Syria and Belarus agree to promote trade", "Belarus-Syria report substantial progress in trade and economic relations", "Membership of the Republic of Belarus in International Organizations", "Growth in United Nations membership, 1945present", "Military Development and the Armed Forces of Belarus", "NATO Council adopted individual partnership program with Belarus", "Nato and Belarus: partnership, past tensions and future possibilities", "Lukashenka promises "serfdom" in villages", "Paszczyzna u ukaszenki. During that time, 209 out of 290 towns and cities were destroyed, 85% of the republic's industry, and more than one million buildings. info)). [139] The armed forces were formed in 1992 using parts of the former Soviet Armed Forces on the new republic's territory. Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. [138] The Council of the Republic has the power to select various government officials, conduct an impeachment trial of the president, and accept or reject the bills passed by the House of Representatives. Jahrhundert. China and Belarus called for a cease-fire and negotiations to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as leaders of the two countries meet in Beijing to improve their relations. The national hockey team finished fourth at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics following a memorable upset win over Sweden in the quarterfinals and regularly competes in the World Championships, often making the quarterfinals. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ruled that the elections were unfair because opposition candidates were arbitrarily denied registration and the election process was designed to favor the ruling party. [139], In the 2012 parliamentary election, 105 of the 110 members elected to the House of Representatives were not affiliated with any political party. Online version: Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 20:35, Constitution of the Republic of Belarus of 1994, "FAO's Information System on Water and Agriculture", Socialist Soviet Republic of Lithuania and Belorussia, Byelorussian collaboration with Nazi Germany, Byelorussian strategic offensive operation, a staggering quarter of the prewar population, Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic, election for the presidency on 24 June 1994 and 10 July 1994, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, protests following the presidential election, Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, 800m at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics, "Generations and Gender Survey, 2020 Belarus Wave 1", "Belarus leader Lukashenko holds secret inauguration amid continuing protests", "Belarus: Mass protests after Lukashenko secretly sworn in", "GINI index (World Bank estimate) Belarus", "Time Zone & Clock Changes in Minsk, Belarus", "Icann .", "Belarus freezes migrant cooperation deal over EU sanctions", "Why Is Belarus called White Russia | Belarus Travel", "Law of the Republic of Belarus About the name of the Republic of Belarus", "Lithuania Refuses to Call Belarus as "Belarusia", "Gudas as a Historical Name of Belarusians in the Lithuanian Language: 'Goths' or 'Barbarians'? Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, with the capital Minsk.