Belarus, is it stable right now?

[Koluji Ezhik]

Hi all,
I am planning a trip to Minsk this summer. I am going to visit a lady that I have some history with. She did visit me in America about 2 years ago on a work and study visa. We recently rekindled our relationship and I am very eager to go see her. I am a bit troubled by the recent news, and economic activity there, but still  I wish to visit her. She lives with some roomates, so I was looking to book a hotel or rent a flat. The hotel prices are astronomical for foreigners apparently. Does anyone know a good agency to rent a flat there? I am sure that proof of my accommodations should be listed on my visa application. Any advice or help about travel to Minsk or Belarus in general would be really helpful right now. Thanks in advance,
K E

[GoodOlBoy]

Hello KE.
You might want to PM "Viking",  a member here on RWD who knows his way around Belarus.

Good luck!
 
GOB

[Koluji Ezhik]

Spasiba

[mendeleyev]

Stable for visitors, yes. However there are massive changes likely in the works. Belarus desperately needs cash and was just informed that Russia won't make another multi billion (USD) loan to keep the country afloat.
 
Then late yesterday Russia offered a reversal of that loan denial, but Belarus will pay heavily in terms of state owned assets and governmental sovereignity. Terms have not been finalized and Russia is purposely making the process drag on as long as possible.
 
So much for all those tours for Russian businessmen who were paid by the Belarussian government to look at the supposedly "better" communist economic model touted by the country's dictator.
 
Could we be seeing Lukashenko's final days?
 
 

[Rubicon]

Stable for visitors, yes. However there are massive changes likely in the works. Belarus desperately needs cash and was just informed that Russia won't make another multi billion (USD) loan to keep the country afloat.
 
Then late yesterday Russia offered a reversal of that loan denial, but Belarus will pay heavily in terms of state owned assets and governmental sovereignity. Terms have not been finalized and Russia is purposely making the process drag on as long as possible.
 
So much for all those tours for Russian businessmen who were paid by the Belarussian government to look at the supposedly "better" communist economic model touted by the country's dictator.
 
Could we be seeing Lukashenko's final days?

I certainly hope so!!  although I hope it does not involve Russian tanks rolling into Belarus.

[mendeleyev]

I hope it does not involve Russian tanks rolling into Belarus

I can't imagine that on one hand.
 
But while the main purposes of the "Customs Union" between Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan is to create a trade zone along with common customs and postal services, part of that agreement gives Moscow functional coordination of security communications & operations.
 
Belarus has it's own tanks--that is more of a concern as uprisings continue.
 
 

[viking]

Could we be seeing Lukashenko's final days?

I hope so. If he is forced to give up all that Putin is asking, he is effectively handing over the country. If he doesn't, and the ruble loses even more value, there WILL be rioting in the streets.

[tfcrew]

Belarus applies for $8bn emergency IMF loan... Belarus has applied to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an emergency loan of up to $8bn ..  which could help to rescue the ex-Soviet republic from its fiscal crisis.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/8551692/Belarus-applies-for-8bn-emergency-IMF-loan.html

 

[Boethius]

The first post also asks for accommodation recommendations and general travel advice as well.

[viking]

I'll bite. To travel from the states to Minsk means at least one stop as there are no direct flights. Airport is small(er) and easy to navigate. Custom officials are brutes and no nonsense but give you no real hassles. Just make sure all your papers, and visa, are in order. If you get your visa at a place like visahq.com, they will do all the paperwork for you, including the invitation. Take dollars as the exchange rate is now about 5000 rubles to one dollar and EVERYONE wants/needs dollars. And you can even do better at the smaller kiosks. There are no riots...yet... but the population is certainly not happy right now. But it is safe for travel. You can get some nice hotel rooms for about $150 a night but I cannot help you regarding renting a flat in Minsk. I am sure your GF will be happy to show you around, so just take her lead. Nice restaurants and the food is fairly inexpensive. Stay away from taxis when you can and just plan on a lot of walking.

[Reyan]

I don't know when you are going to Belarus, but I'll be in Minsk in a couple of weeks to see my fiancee (Olya) and also mid August. I have always used VisaHQ (as Viking mentioned) for my visitor visa. I suggest you get a double entry visa, since it cost the same as a single entry.
If you fly to Minsk airport don't forget to purchase the medical insurance while you are there, because it is required for registration. A taxi ride to downtown Minsk is about $40 or you can ride the shuttle bus/van for roughly $2. It helps to know/read Russian. My Russian skill is very poor, and Olya laughs at me when I speak. She is a Belarusian/Russian teacher, so she expects perfection.
I've always stayed in Olya's apartment during my visits, so I cannot provide any information on hotel or flat accomodation. I wish you the best on your travel.