Pavel Latushka: The Sovereignty of Belarus is Not a Bargaining Chip Between Lukashenko and Moscow

Pavel Latushka. Photo: UTC

"When Belarusians determine their own destiny, the Kremlin loses the pseudo-legal pretexts for interfering in the internal affairs of Belarus — pretexts created with the support of the dictator Lukashenko," noted Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the NAM, while commenting on the Cabinet's adopted statement regarding the aggressive intentions of the Russian Federation to interfere in the internal affairs of Belarus.

"The sovereignty of Belarus is not a bargaining chip between Lukashenko and Moscow, which remains the primary source of threat to our sovereignty. The fate of Belarus must be determined by Belarusians. Today, Russia is not a 'guarantor,' but the main threat to our independence. The statements by the SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation regarding the use of 'all means', including threats of nuclear weapons, to interfere in the internal affairs of Belarus are unacceptable and impermissible. However, the blame for this situation lies with Lukashenko: for the sake of retaining power, he signed treasonous agreements that give the Kremlin a formal 'hook' for nuclear blackmail and the deployment of troops.

In our statement, we address three main audiences:

1. Belarusian Society. We must soberly understand: the threat of losing statehood is extremely acute. And it does not come from the West, but from the East.

2. The International Community. We are documenting this act of Russia’s aggressive policy so that our partners understand: any potential steps by the Kremlin to 'stabilize' the situation in Belarus constitute interference in our country's internal affairs.

3. The Functional Belarusian Authorities. Those within the system who still retain remnants of state-oriented thinking. We are showing them: Lukashenko is leading our country toward the loss of statehood, and they themselves toward the status of collaborators in a Russian province. The only way to avoid this is through national dialogue using the instrument of a Round Table.

According to closed research data, the idea of a Round Table was supported by 44% of Belarusians at the very beginning of our communication. Today, as the topic becomes more prominent in the information space, this figure will certainly grow. Belarusians want a peaceful exit from the crisis.

It is logical to view the recent statements by the SVR and Zakharova as, in part, an indirect reaction to our idea. For our eastern neighbor, it is unacceptable for Belarusians to reach an agreement among themselves. Because when Belarusians determine their own destiny, the Kremlin loses the pseudo-legal pretexts for interference created with the support of the dictator Lukashenko. The 'security guarantees' agreement signed by Lukashenko will not function in the event of an internal political agreement. The Round Table is not just a 'conversation,' but effectively a powerful technology for defending our sovereignty.

An agreement within Belarusian society provides Russia with significantly fewer pretexts for an armed intervention on Belarusian territory — an intervention whose possibility was formalized in the so-called 'security guarantees' treaty between Belarus and Russia," stated Pavel Latushka.

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