"Lukashenko cannot pull Belarus out of Putin's embrace and will continue to secure Russia's military-political interests, which guarantees his hold on power. He has definitively chosen Russia and will not act independently in foreign policy", — stated Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM), during the fourth meeting of the "Belarus-EU" consultative group. The session included participation from the Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, members of the Cabinet, the Coordination Council, representatives of Belarusian civil society, and the European Union.
During the consultative group session on the political situation in Belarus, regional prospects, strategies of democratic forces, and EU actions, Pavel Latushka emphasized that Lukashenko does not facilitate dialogue. Dialogue is possible only with a partner who adheres to agreements, but Lukashenko cannot ensure their implementation. Dialogue requires tangible steps toward improving relations, which Lukashenko is neither willing nor able to take independently.
The NAM leader noted that Lukashenko can no longer return to the conditions of 2019. He will not restore independent media, opposition parties, or NGOs, nor will he release all political prisoners, annul thousands of unlawful verdicts, or allow the return of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians exiled from the country. He cannot bring back the lives of those killed or the health of those tortured in prisons — including those suffering as we speak. "This is unrealistic! He suffered a severe psychological trauma in 2020 when Belarusians refused to support him. The fear of a repeat of 2020 will dictate his policies. We need to soberly assess the situation in Belarus, and I am convinced it does not favor any change in the strategy toward the regime", — Pavel Latushka stated.
The Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet proposed a way out of the situation: strong, systematic, and targeted support for Belarusian society, whether medium- or long-term. In the event of change, it is the Belarusian people who will bear responsibility for the transformations. It is necessary to support democratic society and alternative institutions created by Belarusian democratic forces.
Pavel Latushka highlighted that one of the dictator's most cynical tactics is attempting to legitimize his actions both domestically and internationally through sham elections. However, the real situation is as follows:
Potential genuine presidential candidates are either in prison or exile.
All 11 opposition parties have been dissolved.
Over 1,700 civil organizations (more than 50% of those existing) have been liquidated.
Independent media outlets have been eradicated.
Belarusians living abroad have been stripped of their voting rights.
Pavel Latushka called on the EU not to recognize this charade orchestrated by Lukashenko under the guise of elections and not to allow him to regain his political subjectivity. "We are on the verge of so-called elections planned by Lukashenko. But this process can only be described as a farce. This farce cannot become a basis for revising the policy toward Lukashenko".
Europe must not turn a blind eye to Lukashenko's crimes
"Even now, as Lukashenko releases individual political prisoners, he simultaneously continues repression, and the number of new political prisoners exceeds those released. Therefore, halting repression must be a key condition for dealing with the regime. All sanctions imposed should be strengthened until practical changes occur in the regime’s behavior. Increasing sanctions pressure must send a clear and unequivocal signal that Europe will never turn a blind eye to Lukashenko's illegal actions and crimes", — stated Pavel Latushka during the panel discussion “Human Rights and Accountability” at the fourth meeting of the "Belarus-EU" consultative group in Brussels.
Today, the main expectation of Belarusians is the demand for justice. This is even more relevant in the case of hundreds of thousands of victims of crimes against humanity committed by Lukashenko’s regime. Recent research by key human rights organizations in Belarus confirms this conclusion: Belarusians need justice.
Pavel Latushka stated: "Achieving real accountability for the main perpetrators of atrocities in Belarus today is existential. The key word here is ‘real’. Real accountability means recognizing the perpetrators of these crimes as criminals and the survivors as victims in the framework of criminal proceedings, in line with the rule of law. It also means that our actions today cannot rely on pathways to justice that depend on changes within Belarus. Accountability must come based on legal norms, not political interests. Protecting the rights of victims requires a proactive approach, not a passive one".
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