Pavel Latushka on BBC News
Original interview in English: bbc.co.uk
"Since 2020, Lukashenko has committed numerous crimes, including crimes against humanity against the Belarusian people. Lukashenko is a co-aggressor in the war against Ukraine. Lukashenko is organizing a migration crisis on the border with the EU, hijacking a civilian plane. I appeal to our partners: let's bring Lukashenko to justice", said Pavel Latushka,Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, in an interview with BBC News.
Pavel Latushka gave an interview to the British television company BBC News for the program "HARDtalk". Among the topics discussed were:
Possible direct participation of Lukashenko in Russia's aggression against Ukraine:
"I am 100% sure that Lukashenko does not want to send an army to Ukraine. Not because he loves Ukraine and Ukrainians, but because he is afraid of an internal crisis, since 85% of Belarusians are against the entry of the Belarusian army into the war".
Attitude to the Regiment of Kalinouski and Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine:
"For me personally, they are Belarusian heroes. They are fighting for the liberation of Ukraine, but they also dream of the liberation of Belarus".
The President of Lithuania stated the lack of subjectivity of Belarus in the current reality:
"We are fighting for freedom, but at the same time for the restoration of our independence. This is a challenge for all Belarusians — to fight for our independence, but we have a strategy:
support for independent Belarusian media;
support for cultural identity;
support and recognition of our democratic institutions,
mobility for Belarusians;
holding Lukashenko and his accomplices accountable for their crimes".
Problems of the sanctions policy:
"It is important to distinguish between Belarusians and Russians. Most Russians support the war and Putin, while Belarusians do not support the war and Lukashenko. Sanctions should be aimed at the regime. I support economic pressure on the regime, but mobility for Belarusians must be maintained".
Threats from the regime:
"Once he personally told me that he would kill me if I was against him. Lukashenko organized repressions against my daughter, my family, sentenced me to 18 years in prison. I received more than 100 signals about a threat to my life. In 2020, I made a conscious choice and I do not regret it".
To what extent does the fate of Belarus depend on the results of the war in Ukraine:
"Ukraine's victory creates the preconditions for changing the situation in Belarus. Changes in the country depend on the Belarusians themselves. The future of our country is in the hands of Belarusian society. But, of course, if we look at the situation in Europe, it becomes clear that Ukraine’s victory is necessary".
Are you disappointed with the lack of support from Western countries for the Belarusian democratic forces:
"Yes, I am disappointed. Four years ago, I received a letter that said something very important: if you want to win your battle, you must base it on the rule of law, and it is essential to hold Lukashenko accountable. For four years, I, my team and the democratic forces of Belarus have dedicated ourselves to this mission. Since 2020, Lukashenko has committed many crimes: crimes against humanity against the Belarusian people — and what about accountability? Lukashenko is a co-aggressor in the war against Ukraine — and what about accountability? Lukashenko orchestrates a migration crisis on the border with the EU, hijacks a civilian plane - and what about accountability? So I appeal to our partners: let's hold Lukashenko accountable".
Separately, the head of the NAU in an interview with BBC News noted the importance of the role of Western democracies in decisive actions to hold the dictator accountable for his crimes:
"Let's start with Lukashenko. This is my strategy for our European and American partners. Let's use Lukashenko as an example to show Putin how effective the tools of international partners can be against such dictators. However, the issue of the subjectivity of the Belarusian people is important. We want to restore the subjectivity of the Belarusian people again".
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