Lukashenko cedes kolkhoz control to private farmers amid economic pressure

Belarusian President Lukashenko, long a defender of the state-run kolkhoz system, is reportedly transferring collective farms to private businesses and farmers—a reversal of his three-decade stance. The move signals economic strain and a pragmatic shift, though details on scope and implementation remain unclear. This matters as it reflects broader economic pressures on the regime and potential policy realignment.