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Every year on 27 January the world commemorates the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating anti-Semitism, racism, and other forms of hatred. This date was officially established in 2005 by Resolution 60/7 of the United Nations General Assembly which was initiated by 104 member states of the organization, including the Republic of Belarus. It was precisely on 27 January 1945 that Soviet troops liberated the prisoners of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. The exact number of victims is unknown, though various sources estimate it to be between 1.5 and 4 million people. In a conversation with BelTA, Igor Marzalyuk, a member of the House of Representatives, discussed how history has proven the fallacy of racial superiority theories and expressed concern that certain forces are attempting to justify the Nazis and their collaborators today.
Racist foundation of Nazi ideology
“Hitlerism arose from the basis of so-called racial nationalism. Why did this happen? In the 19th century, there was a rapid expansion of Western European powers into Africa, a significant part of Asia, and other regions, while in the United States of America, the indigenous population was being exterminated. All of this demanded ideological justification.We know Charles Darwin’s theory on the origin of species. This theory, which explains by scientific methods the origin of species and the struggle between them, contains an important postulate - the theory of natural selection. And so, the racists transferred the principles of Darwin's theory, in an entirely unscientific manner, from the biological world to the human world. They claimed that just as there are higher and lower species, more and less developed individuals among animals, so too is humanity divided into ‘races of slaves’ and ‘races of masters’,” Igor Marzalyuk noted.
This concept would later form the foundation of the doctrine of the Third Reich and the entirety of Nazi ideology. “For the Nazis, there was no equality of peoples, only a hierarchy of races. And by races, they did not mean those generally accepted in science. They believed the true Aryans – the Northern Europeans –were the superior race. There was a philosopher, Houston Stewart Chamberlain, who argued that it was the Germanic peoples who founded most states. Thus, there were two most advanced races: the Germanic (which included the English, Scandinavians, and Dutch) and the Mediterranean, represented by the French, Italians, and Spaniards. Those were the two dominant races, which were to be on top of all others,” the historian explained.
From the Nazi perspective, all Slavs without exception were considered a slave race. “We were viewed within this concept as subhumans, because they argued that all our cultural and technological advancements were imported from outside, primarily by the Germanic peoples. Consequently, we were destined to be subjugated and turned into a slave race, while the dominant position would be reserved exclusively for representatives of the superior race. Furthermore, there were so-called ‘racial parasites’ or, for the Nazis, non-races altogether. Jews and Roma were not races, but racial diseases for the Nazis. According to the Nazis’ plan, Jews were to be completely exterminated, without a trace. Not a single Jew had any chance of survival. Nazi ideology argued that the negative qualities inherent in Jews were incurable, and therefore, Jews could not be integrated or adapted into white European society,” concluded Igor Marzalyuk.
A report on the Belarus 1 TV channel has shed light on the unique heated jackets produced in Bobruisk after a presidential tip, BelTA has learned.
A heated jacket is a real find for those who get very cold. Production of such jackets began in Bobruisk following a hint from the president. “During the opening of the First National Trading House, the president visited our store. He asked about the down jackets. The natural down didn’t impress him much, and he said we should learn from the Chinese. We immediately began executing this instruction,” Director of Slavyanka sewing factory Teimuraz Bochorishvili said.
To activate the heating function, all you need is any power bank used for charging gadgets. One press of a button, and the jacket heats up like a radiator. The creators emphasize that it is completely safe. The jacket can be tossed in the washing machine; the main thing is to close the port with its flap.
According to Darya Norova, deputy head of the factory’s experimental workshop, the jacket lining contains graphene, a material that retains heat. “There is a special instruction manual showing the number of heating elements in the model. There can be a model with five heating elements or one with three. It all depends on the design idea,” she said.
The factory is also developing another new product: jackets made with eco-down. This is an innovative synthetic filler that retains heat well, doesn’t clump, and will keep you warm even in -25°C weather. The enterprise notes that the sub-zero temperatures outside have only fueled demand for Bobruisk jackets. Up to 120 units are produced here per shift.
U.S. President Donald Trump can be compared to a steamroller given the policies he pursues, Igor Shishkin, an expert of the Institute of CIS Countries, said in a recent episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.
The expert explained the policy pursued by Donald Trump using the situation surrounding Greenland as an example. He noted that the development of events in this case is difficult to predict. Nevertheless, he believes there is a high probability that the island will come under U.S. control, considering the current policy of the White House leader.
“In my opinion, with a probability of more than 75%, Trump will ‘pry’ Greenland away. It must be noted that Trump is an extremely consistent politician. Because of his own PR stunts, he is commonly perceived as somewhat erratic. There’s even an expression: Seven Trumps in a week,” Igor Shishkin said.
Nevertheless, the expert emphasized, Donald Trump is an extremely consistent politician: “He works like a steamroller - slowly, steadily, and in one direction.”
To support his words, Igor Shishkin pointed out that Donald Trump had stated his desire to take Greenland from Denmark during his first term. “People laughed about it back then,” he added.
The expert recalled that, in exactly the same way, no one initially took the U.S. president’s threats against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro seriously. “By the way, in his first term, he again tried to bring Venezuela’s wealth under his control. Whatever he says, he certainly tries to turn it into reality. Of course, he’s not omnipotent, and he doesn’t always succeed. During his first term, he didn’t succeed in anything at all. Will he succeed with Greenland? The odds are much greater that he will,” he stated with confidence.
Fear is one of the factors in global politics, former Prime Minister of Ukraine (2010-2014) Nikolai Azarov said in the latest episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA's YouTube channel.
“Fear is a factor in global politics. And there is absolutely no need to be ashamed of that. For 30 years they have been talking about the deterrence factor... Whom are we deterring? We can only deter when [opponents] are genuinely afraid and apprehensive. In other words, a deterrent factor based on intimidation must largely be at work,” Nikolai Azarov said.
To support his words, he cited the example of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: “The DPRK clearly understands this. And everyone understands that Kim Jong-un should not be touched because he will respond to the fullest extent.”
Thus, the former Ukrainian prime minister believes that in the current difficult international situation, security guarantees can only be ensured through strength. This stems, in part, from the fact that international law is largely ineffective and any concluded agreements are readily broken. “Peace is paramount. However, it must be founded upon the strongest possible guarantees,” Nikolai Azarov said.
The Belarusian government is working on modernizing the child care allowance system, Deputy Prime Minister Natalya Petkevich said during a joint sitting of the two houses of the Belarusian parliament in Minsk on 21 January, BelTA has learned.
"The Belarusian government is working on modernizing the child care allowance system to reduce the risks of a deterioration in the financial situation of women compared to what they had before the birth of a child,” Natalya Petkevich said.
According to her, attention is being paid to the critical task of creating comfortable conditions for parents to care for their children. This involves establishing nurseries for young children so that regardless of where they live, mothers can return to work sooner. The Education Ministry is currently working on developing the network of nursery institutions.
Furthermore, the deputy prime minister spoke in favor of robust information strategy to foster proper family values.
Senya, a raccoon that arrived from the USA in a car container, is successfully acclimatizing in Belarus, the State Customs Committee told BelTA.
The raccoon has been in Belarus for less than a week. During this short period, he has swapped a calm and semi-drowsy state for a very active one.
“The allocated space at the Oshmyany District Veterinary Station, where he was transferred from the departmental customs clearance point Kamenny Log, is no longer enough for Senya. He now takes his meals and conducts his ‘athletic training’ outside of it. He is friendly and well-mannered. New additions to his food preferences - crab sticks and fresh grapes - have joined the chicken eggs he loved from day one,” the Customs Committee said.
The quarantine will last until 3 February. During this period, the raccoon will undergo all required examinations.
Meanwhile, the unusual arrival from the USA is receiving visits from concerned Grodno customs officers who have taken an interest in his fate.
Belarus’ GDP went up by 1.3% in 2025, BelTA learned from the National Statistical Committee of Belarus.
According to estimates, in 2025 the GDP amounted to Br286.7 billion in current prices, up by 1.3% in comparable prices year-on-year.
The GDP deflator index was 111% compared to 2024.
State Secretary of the Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich commented on foreign speculation claiming that the Oreshnik missile system is not present in Belarus, BelTA has learned.
“The main thing is that we are confident we have this weapon. Certainly, we hope it will never be needed. It is a weapon of deterrence, for the defense of our country. Everything required and everything agreed upon by the presidents of the two countries, has been implemented and is functioning. As for what our opponents, our neighbors say… speaking and drawing conclusions is their right,” Aleksandr Volfovich said. “It is good that they do not see this Oreshnik. And it is right.”
The state secretary noted that Russia had recently carried out a second effective use of the Oreshnik missile system. “We would not want this Oreshnik to be used from Belarusian territory. Once again, I emphasize: Oreshnik, tactical nuclear weapons deployed on Belarusian territory, are solely for the defense of our country’s territory,” he stressed.
There is room for improvement in the social sector development, though the socially-oriented focus of the Belarusian state remains a priority, said Andrei Lobovich, who was appointed Labor and Social Security Minister by the Belarusian head of state on 15 January, BelTA has learned.
“This is my second time at the ministry. The break I devoted to working in the State Control Committee allowed me to view the development of the social sector from a slightly different angle, from the perspective of a controller,” said Andrei Lobovich. “There is definite potential for improvement in the sector. At the same time, our state’s commitment to social development remains a priority and will be enhanced further.”
According to him, the priority will primarily involve supporting families with children, as well as socially vulnerable segments of the population.
Key players in the European Union are unable to agree on matters of support for Ukraine, leading to discord within the EU itself, economist and analyst Serghei Banari said in the latest episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.
Speaking on the prospects for peace negotiations concerning Ukraine, Serghei Banari pointed to Russia’s daily strengthening position and Europe’s weakening position. “Even the key players, France, the UK, and Germany, diverge on critical issues. This includes both the allocation of credit lines and the deployment of military contingents. In short, discord is beginning. The cockroaches are starting to eat each other,” said the analyst.
He suggested that this process could end with a transformation of the European Union, where a limited number of countries would begin to rebuild this alliance from scratch. “Nothing remains of what was envisioned during the creation of the Coal and Steel Community. Everything was destroyed. From a union that was supposed to build a prosperous, socially just European continent, we have seen deranged racists, chauvinists, anti-Semites, and Russophobes. Their only message is a message of death and war. They have nothing else,” the analyst emphasized.
According to Serghei Banari, membership in the European Union does not strengthen but rather weakens the sovereignty of its member states: “Absolutely unelected individuals practically trample into the mud the sovereignty, independence, and national interests of the countries participating in the European Union.”
