29 March 2024, Friday, 9:13
Support
the website
Sim Sim,
Charter 97!
Categories

Lukashenka Is No Longer President of Belarus

48
Lukashenka Is No Longer President of Belarus
PHOTO: DELFI

Events in Belarus are a test for the entire European Union.

Europe should send a clear signal to the Kremlin that interference in Belarus' affairs will have consequences. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius writes about this in the American edition of Politico (translated by Radio Svaboda).

"We have reached a tipping point. If the EU wants to be a powerful player on the world stage and for its closest eastern neighbors, it urgently needs a new approach to the region and Belarus in particular. Words of condemnation and regret, as well as other common buzzwords, are no longer enough.

The ossified structure of power in Belarus has failed to recognize important signs of liberalization and awakening. The Belarusian people's reaction to the August elections showed that their patience has come to an end.

It also became clear that Lukashenka was never interested in the modernization of the country or in Belarus's real independence: all he wants is to stay in power.

Now, fearful that protests against his dictatorship would spread across the country, Lukashenka has turned to Russia for military support, which is proof that his statements about Moscow's pressure were nothing more than a farce meant to show him as a defender of Belarus' independence.

Events in Belarus have become a severe headache for the Russian leadership. The Kremlin hesitates between accepting peaceful protests and the possibility of new elections, or supporting Lukashenka and sending him military aid.

Moscow hesitates, it seems, because it fears uncontrolled democratic processes. In the Kremlin's eyes, if Lukashenka obeys the nation's will, it will be a demonstration of weakness that could send the wrong message to Russian civil society, inspired by protests in Belarus.

The EU justly without hesitation declared the elections in Belarus unfair, undemocratic, and unfree, stating that violence against civilians is a violation of human rights and that only a new leadership will help Belarus break the political and moral deadlock.

But words are not enough. The situation in Belarus is a test of our European values and commitment to human rights. Will we allow repression and violence to prevail? Will we allow a non-elected president to call on Russia to solve the problem of civilians demanding free and fair elections?

As long as the EU and the rest of the Western world hesitate and remain divided and continue to try to reset relations with Moscow, Russia can pretend to be a superpower, openly defying international rules and fueling conflicts.

The EU must be precise, clear, and unanimous in its answer. It should be stated unequivocally that since August 9, Lukashenka has been the former president of Belarus and that his actions are illegal and unacceptable in Europe.

There must be deeds behind these words. Targeted EU sanctions against Lukashenka's regime are only the first step. We must provide assistance to victims of violence and repression, ensure the release of all political prisoners, and begin an international investigation into possible crimes against humanity. Civil society and independent media in Belarus also desperately need our support.

The EU must send a very clear signal to the Kremlin that any attempt to interfere in Belarus' affairs will have long-term consequences for Russia. And the EU should not hesitate to take serious action if the Kremlin decides to intervene.

Failure to pass this critical test will be a serious blow to our foundations. It is not too late to prevent this from happening," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius wrote in his article in the American publication of Politico.

Write your comment 48

Follow Charter97.org social media accounts