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Jeżeli masz możliwość, to prosimy ewentualnie o przekazanie 1,5% podatku na naszą działalność Białoruską Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. Lukashenko Lends to Russia While Belarus Drowns – Kallaur’s Resignation as a Symptom of Crisis On March 10, 2025, Lukashenko dismissed Pavel Kallaur, the head of the National Bank, who had held the position for over ten years. This decision shocked the country’s banking system. Why was a true professional fired during such a difficult time? One of the reasons for Kallaur’s dismissal was his disagreement with the policy of granting loans to Russian companies at the end of 2024. Not long ago, I addressed Pavel Kallaur with a suggestion to go to Lukashenko and propose disconnecting Belarusian banks from Russia’s Central Bank’s Financial Messaging System — Russia’s equivalent of SWIFT. But just days ago, Lukashenko fired Kallaur from his post. Let’s try to understand why Lukashenko dismissed Kallaur and what Belarusian loans to Russia have to do with it. Pavel Vladimirovich Kallaur Kallaur was one of the few officials in the regime who, apart from serving the dictator, tried to think about the interests of Belarus as a state. It is known that Russia, like Lukashenko’s regime, faced a series of European and American sanctions due to its actions, losing a significant portion of financial resources for developing primarily its military-industrial complex, which is critically important for continuing the war. The question arose of how to compensate for these losses. It is often said that Russia compensates Lukashenko’s regime for its losses from the imposed sanctions. Yes, that is true, but it’s not that simple. There is also a reverse process at play. So, let’s look at how Lukashenko’s regime compensates Russia for the losses it faces due to the war and sanctions. While Lukashenko demands that officials save every penny and Belarusian citizens work three or four jobs, he himself is squandering the country’s resources to support someone else’s war. At the end of 2024, Belarusian banks issued loans to Russian companies worth half a billion dollars. These aren’t just numbers — it’s a story about how the dictator is selling the future of his citizens to preserve his throne. This money could have gone to schools, hospitals, or roads in Belarus itself, but instead, it is supporting the Russian economy — a country that is waging war against Ukraine. Lukashenko’s regime, desperately clinging to power, is turning Belarus into a financial cushion for Moscow, sacrificing the well-being of the Belarusian people. And Kallaur apparently disagreed with this, which is why he paid the price. But why did Belarusian banks become a lifeline for Russia? A. Lukashenko and V. Putin The issue lies in the difference in interest rates: in Russia, the discount rate reached 21% in 2024, while in Belarus it remained at 9.5%. For Russian companies, which are suffocating under sanctions and high interest rates, Belarusian loans are a cheap loophole. In December 2024, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Belarusbank  and Belagroprombank  provided Russian enterprises with no less than $500 million. These banks, like the entire banking system, have long been fully subordinated to the interests of Lukashenko, who has been mocking the country for decades. After the 2020 protests and the start of the war in Ukraine, the West imposed strict sanctions on Lukashenko’s regime, cutting it off from European markets. By 2024, the country's economy continues to stagnate. Moscow uses Belarus as a workaround for sanctions, and now as a source of cheap financing. But while Lukashenko publicly demands that officials “find money and investment,” his personal actions say the opposite: he is handing out Belarusian resources, leaving his own country with empty pockets. Economy to Retain Power Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service states: “Belarusian banks are effectively financing the Russian economy, including the war against Ukraine.” These are not empty words. Half a billion dollars is a significant sum for Belarus’ banking system, whose resources have been depleted by sanctions and internal crises. In 2024, the National Bank of Belarus set the average loan rate for businesses at 8.5%, but access to these funds for local businesses sharply decreased. Why? Because priority is given to Russian borrowers, who bring political dividends to Lukashenko. This decision undermines the Belarusian economy on all fronts. Firstly, the outflow of money abroad leaves local businesses with no chance of development. Secondly, it contributes to slowing down economic growth and may also spur inflation: in 2024, food prices already significantly increased, and this trend accelerated in January-February 2025. Thirdly, it undermines the stability of Belarus’ banking system: if Russia does not repay its debts — a high risk given its own problems — Belarusian banks will be on the brink of crisis. Lukashenko, however, demonstrates stunning hypocrisy. He periodically scolds officials for “wasting money,” demanding they save the budget and attract investment. But issuing $500 million to Russia in December is not saving — it’s squandering resources for the Kremlin. His goal is clear: to strengthen the alliance with Moscow to maintain support without which his regime would collapse. However, this strategy condemns Belarus to be a donor, not a partner, draining the last of the country’s strength. Life of Belarusians Under Pressure Imagine an average Belarusian, who has a small business, such as a clothing store, barely staying afloat, and is denied a loan by a bank, citing “limited resources.” Meanwhile, Russian companies that received Belarusian loans continue production — including military equipment that is used to shell Ukrainian cities. For small business owners like him, this is not just an economic downturn — it’s the loss of hope for a normal life while Lukashenko gives their money away abroad. Lukashenko Against His People Lukashenko constantly sells the future of Belarus to save himself. By giving loans to Russian companies, he is not only supporting the war in Ukraine — he is condemning his country to poverty and backwardness. The half a billion dollars that left in December 2024 for Russia are stolen opportunities for Belarusian families, factories, and cities. While he demands that officials save every penny, he himself is squandering the country’s resources as if they mean nothing. His fear of losing power has turned Belarus into a hostage of the Kremlin, and its people into victims of a political game. Lukashenko continues to dance on the edge of the abyss, not noticing that he is dragging the entire country down with him. The only question is how long the people will continue to pay for his fear — and when they will decide that enough is enough. And that will surely happen.

Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. The working group created by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration of Poland, dealing with the legalization of Belarusians staying in Poland, has resumed its activities. The first meeting of the working group recently took place in Warsaw, led by Tomasz Cytrynowicz , Head of the Office for Foreigners of Poland. The Belarusian side was led by Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet. The meeting was also attended by Vitaly Malchanau , Deputy for Social Policy of the Cabinet, Hanna Matyevska , Head of the Partyzanka initiative, and Olga Karpushonak , Delegate of the Coordination Council. Tomasz Cytrynowicz informed Pavel Latushka that, in the past year, over 48,000 Belarusian citizens had applied for legalization of their stay in Poland. In January 2025 alone, there were more than 4,000 such applications, which, as the Polish representative noted, demonstrates the continued flow of Belarusian citizens seeking to legalize their stay in Poland. During the meeting, several issues were discussed, including: Reducing the Processing Time for Legalization Cases for Belarusians in Poland. Tomasz Cytrynowicz reported that the Polish side is making efforts to shorten the processing time for legalization cases for Belarusians.  In the second half of 2025, changes are planned to be introduced to the foreigner law that will allow the introduction of an electronic system for submitting documents for foreigners as part of the legalization procedure . These changes are expected to accelerate the processing of cases, minimize the number of visits required for applicants to the Office for Foreigners of Poland and the Voivodeship Offices, and positively impact the issue of intermediaries. The procedure will involve an electronic form to fill out the application with an electronic signature, followed by submitting fingerprints, providing additional documents (if necessary), and receiving the documents. Issues Related to the Grounds for Issuing Travel Documents. The possibility of issuing travel documents to Belarusians was discussed not only in the case of an expired passport or lack of one, but also when the pages for visas and stamps are full or when the passport was issued more than 10 years ago. Tomasz Cytrynowicz supported the need to consider the interpretation of the current legislation that would expand the grounds for issuing travel documents to Belarusians. After analyzing Poland’s current legislation, the Cabinet will send an appropriate response. Issues Related to the Issuance Period of Travel Documents. Pavel Latushka suggested considering the possibility of issuing travel documents for more than 1 year, as is currently done . The Polish representative informed that there is an ongoing discussion about amending the legislation to extend the validity period of such documents, but it has not yet been determined how long these documents will be issued in the future. Issuance of Travel Documents to Belarusian Children. The issue of issuing travel documents to Belarusian children born in Poland was discussed, particularly when the parents are unable to go to Belarus to arrange a passport for the child. Tomasz Cytrynowicz stated that such cases would be considered individually by the Voivodeship Offices based on the parents' applications. We ask you to inform the Cabinet @belcabinet_bot  about any cases of refusal to issue documents for children so that we can monitor the situation and inform the Office for Foreigners of Poland.

Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. Achieving the goal of a future democratic Belarus was the main topic of discussion during a meeting between Deputy Head of the Cabinet Pavel Latushka and the Political Director of the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gerard Keown. In light of global security challenges and the war waged by Russia against Ukraine with the support of the Lukashenko regime, special attention was given to the necessity of considering support for Belarusian society in the development of Europe's future security strategy. Belarusian citizens oppose the war and aspire to live in a democratic, European, and independent state — the Republic of Belarus. Pavel Latushka requested support from the representative of the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically for: Independent media and bloggers, ensuring their ability to operate despite ongoing repression. Non-governmental organizations, particularly those focused on human rights protection. Additionally, the meeting covered: Strategies for pressuring the Lukashenko regime, including: Holding Lukashenko and his accomplices internationally accountable for aggression against Ukraine, war crimes related to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, and crimes against humanity against the Belarusian people. Expanding and harmonizing sanctions against the regime at the European level. The situation in Belarus: A significant number of political prisoners remain in the country, with repression continuing in full force. All independent political parties have been liquidated. More than 50% of non-governmental organizations have been shut down. Gerard Keown emphasized the need to continue pressure on the Lukashenko regime and to support Belarusian democratic forces. He condemned the brutality of the Lukashenko regime and expressed solidarity with the Belarusian people in their fight for democracy, confirming Ireland’s readiness to provide assistance. The representative of the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also supported further strengthening sanctions against the Lukashenko regime. Possible next steps to enhance and increase the effectiveness of sanction pressure were discussed during the meeting. Pavel Latushka stated: "Ireland has a completely realistic assessment of the Lukashenko regime, which is an ally of Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. Ireland supports and will continue to support stronger sanctions against the regime unless it stops backing the war against Ukraine. Ireland is also considering ways to support bringing Lukashenko to justice for the crimes he has committed against Belarusians and in relation to the aggression against Ukraine. We also discussed financial support and assistance for Belarusian civil society. Ireland fully understands the importance and priority of supporting independent media and bloggers. I requested that appropriate funds be allocated. Additionally, we talked about the need for financial support for civil initiatives and human rights organizations" . The representative of the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed interest in organizing a special conference in Ireland dedicated to Belarusian culture and its support.