The Deputy Head of the NAM, Artsiom Brukhan, reflected on Euroradio about the harsh sanctions, the discrimination against Belarusians, and whether the West intends to completely isolate Belarus.
Looking at the situation globally, we have the following: on June 29, the EU imposed the 7th sanctions package. Three days later, Lukashenko announced that he was ready to release his "opponents." On July 13, he ordered the withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border. Four days later, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ryzhenkov, whose grandmother and mother are Polish, announced visa-free entry for 35 European countries. This does not seem like a coincidence.
Why are European countries restricting ordinary Belarusian citizens?
As a Belarusian, I cannot support this, but the logic behind the decisions of Lithuania and Latvia is security. They are very concerned about aggression and Lukashenko's intelligence services. These countries have small populations and many Russian speakers who watch Kremlin propaganda. Considering this, the Baltic countries' politicians have unfortunately made harsh and unpleasant decisions for us.
Does this mean that Belarusians will be treated like Russians?
European countries understand who Belarusians are and who Russians are. Efforts are being made, media work is being done, and contacts with EU politicians are being maintained to convey the clear message that Belarusians are not Russians and not aggressors. As long as Belarus does not deploy its army to Ukraine, nothing will change.
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