Putin Is Doing Everything To Speed Up Russia's Breakup

All methods to protect the independence and freedom of Belarus will do.

Vladimir Putin is doing everything to speed up the collapse of Russia. I cannot call otherwise the signing of these papers between the Russian president and the illegitimate schizophrenic clinging to power.

Putin is trying hard to look like a macho, but it is he who has pushed Russia's economy over the edge: at the beginning of his rule Russia exceeded China in terms of GDP, but thanks to Vladimir's "skilful" management the Russian economy makes only 9 percent of China's. Instead of organizing life and the national economy along Western lines, Putin has chosen to retain power through PR events involving the seizure of other people's land.

The virtual signing of virtual decrees has become one of Putin's many mistakes. The fact that Ukraine is not Russia, I think, was well understood by the Russian paratroopers and tankers who returned home in coffins after confronting the Ukrainian volunteer battalions. The Russian occupiers have yet to see for themselves that Belarus is not Russia.

Belarusians should realize that we are not alone. We are a natural part of the Western European civilization. Three of our neighbors belong to the great Atlantic community, the brotherly Ukraine is seeking to become a member of NATO as soon as possible. We could stay neutral for a long time if Russia would show at least a little respect to our country. However, if Moscow tries to spit on our sovereignty and national identity, well, we have no choice. Belarus will return to Europe at an accelerated pace.

When the independence of the country is threatened, the basic law for its citizens is the military oath. As the first step towards self-defense, I urge all Belarusians to join the General Strike. And afterwards, all methods to defend the independence and freedom of Belarus will do.

Zmitser Bandarenka, coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign