Kremlin Presses Minsk for Chips, Fuel, Training Grounds as Lukashenka Courts Beijing

Russia is demanding concrete contributions from Belarus—microchips, fuel, and use of training grounds for mobilization—as its own resources strain. Lukashenka is seeking leverage in Beijing and positioning as a mediator, while NATO bolsters defenses against the Belarusian platform. The extent of secret Putin-Lukashenka agreements remains unverified.