Łukašenka voices opposition to KGB expansion

August 7, Pozirk. Belarus’ top security officials met in Minsk today to discuss proposals for reforming the Committee for State Security (KGB), according to a statement from the Belarusian leader’s press office.
The statement did not detail the proposals, which were initially put forward “some time ago” by KGB chief Ivan Tertel and later revised by Alaksandar Valfovič, the state secretary of the Security Council.
Alaksandar Łukašenka emphasized that while he had no intention of reducing funding for the KGB or lowering its agents’ salaries, he firmly opposed any increase in its staffing levels.
“You see what is going on,” the press office quoted him as saying. “We are witnessing a shift of labor from civilian professions to military roles. That’s why we need workers in the production sector first and foremost. We have no right to pull people away from there. This applies to everyone, including the Committee for State Security, in terms of staffing.”
In addition to Łukašenka, the meeting was attended by Tertel, Valfovič, Prosecutor General Andrej Švied, former KGB deputy chief Ihar Sierhiejenka, and former KGB chief Valeryj Vakulčyk.
Łukašenka has ruled Belarus since 1994. The KGB remains the primary agency enabling him to maintain power and suppress dissent.
Cichanoŭskaja admits to accepting €15,000 from official, says it was under duress
- Economy, Politics, SocietyNearly 120,000 Belarusians working in Poland last year, statisticians sayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsEU drafts new sanctions against Russia, BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja’s visit does not mean Ukraine recognizes her as president, envoy saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- SocietyBelarus records spring 2026 at 1.5 C above normalThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka seeks Russian Supreme Court chief’s help on court technologyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyOfficial: authorities foiled 100 terrorism and extremism financing cases in 2025The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsPolish businessman fined nearly €5 million for selling luxury cars to Russia via BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIrregular Belarus-Latvia crossings exceed 500 in first week of JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsOne in five political prisoners in high-risk category, Viasna saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsNobel laureate Bialacki registers foundation in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus opens criminal case against exiled rocker over her political stanceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- SocietyBelarusian, Pole jailed in Poland for cigarette smugglingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyNumber of Belarusian holders of Lithuanian residence permits falls below 49,000The material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRussian businessman Mazepin set to build “small fertilizer plant” in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsŁukašenka offers Ghana equipment and trainingThe material is available only to POZIRK+



