Portugal moves to expel Belarusians who fled war in Ukraine

The order applies to Belarusians who arrived in Portugal from Ukraine after Russia's full-scale invasion and were granted temporary protection status. They now have 20 days to leave voluntarily or face deportation.

Some affected individuals stated that they left Belarus in 2020 after participating in protests against Alexander Lukashenko's regime. They fear arrest and persecution if they return.

"I posted materials supporting Ukraine and opposing Lukashenko's dictatorship. In Belarus, people can be arrested even for liking a post. I didn’t just like posts — I wrote them myself," said a Belarusian woman.

AIMA told SIC Notícias that an order for voluntary departure can be issued to anyone with temporary protection status, regardless of age.

In another case, Portugal revoked temporary protection for a 10-year-old girl born in Russia to Ukrainian parents.

"They [AIMA] believe the child can return to her country of origin since there is no conflict there," said the family's lawyer, Daniela Castro.

Lithuania closed its border with Belarus for a month

The Lithuanian government announced the closure of its border with Belarus from October 30 through November 30, with the option to extend it.

The decision followed reports of smuggled balloons regularly entering Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, which authorities said pose a security threat. Officials view the balloons as part of hybrid pressure tactics.

Poland planned to reopen its border with Belarus

In early September, Polish authorities closed all checkpoints along the Belarus border during joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad-2025.

On September 23, after the drills ended, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland was reopening its border checkpoints with Belarus.

Recently, Tusk said Poland is ready to open two more crossings with Belarus, though one of them will operate under restrictions.