On January 18, 2025, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree granting clemency to 23 individuals convicted of extremist-related crimes. This marks the eighth mass pardon of political prisoners in Belarus since the summer of 2024. Following previous pardons, a total of 227 individuals have been released. Among those pardoned this time are three women and 20 men, with 13 over the age of 50 and 14 suffering from chronic illnesses. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus will monitor the behavior of the pardoned individuals post-release.
In a related context, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that defense expenditures must significantly increase in the medium term. In an interview published on January 18, he indicated that Germany would require at least 85 billion euros starting in 2028, which is 30 billion euros more than current spending. The 2024 budget allocates approximately 52 billion euros for defense, equating to about two percent of the nation's GDP. Pistorius emphasized the need for long-term financial guarantees and a strategic vision against the backdrop of potential threats from Russian military aggression.