Pavel Latushka:  Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador A phone conversation took place between the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management Pavel Latushka , and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski . The discussion was initiated by the Polish Foreign Minister. The Polish Foreign Minister emphasized that Poland distinguishes between the Belarusian people and the regime of the dictator. Poland is taking steps to ease conditions for the legalization of Belarusians, will maintain its stance of not restricting the crossing o f the Belarusian-Polish border by Belarusian citizens, and does not plan to introduce a ban on the use of personal vehicles with Belarusian registration, nor does it plan to confiscate vehicles with Belarusian registration, as is being done with vehicles registered in Russia. At the same time, the head of the Polish Foreign Ministry informed that Poland maintains its demands on the Lukashenko’s regime: to stop the migration war, to extradite the criminal responsible for the murder of a Polish soldier, and continues to push for the release of political prisoners in Belarus, including Polish minority activist Andrzej Poczobut . The Polish Foreign Minister stressed that Belarusians are a European people, and the future of the Belarusian people lies in the common European home. Pavel Latushka thanked the minister for Poland's principled stance and noted that for Belarusians, Poland's leading role in the European Union is essential, as it is the country that most deeply understands the importance of supporting the democratic movement and democratic transformations in Belarus, as well as the importance of Europe's openness to Belarusians.

Pavel Latushka:  Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador I remember when I was an ambassador, I participated in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Belarus. During this meeting, the Prime Minister (as far as I recall, it was Sergei Sidorsky ) made the following statement to our ambassador in Italy: "If the Italians don’t want to invest in Belarus in shoe manufacturing, then we will ban the import of Italian shoes into Belarus". These were the kinds of methods used by the government, or at least there was a declared readiness to apply them against foreign partners — potential investors — to lure them, drag them into Belarus. It’s obvious that such methods never worked and never will. But why am I telling this story? It’s related to the fact that today quite inconvenient sanctions have been introduced, which highlight the utter incompetence of Lukashenko. Have you ever wondered why, when complaining about sanctions, the Lukashenko regime focuses primarily on consumer goods, rather than military industrial goods, or dual-use items, or furniture made by political prisoners for the Department of Corrections of the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Is it because he cares so much about the people? Of course not. The reason is that these kinds of sanctions most clearly reveal his total incompetence. His worthlessness. His inability to produce even the most basic, primitive household goods, everyday consumer items. In other words, the economy that Lukashenko has been building for 30 years is incapable of producing what people need today. And much, if not most, of it is simply imported. That’s why Lukashenko is so concerned about it. So what, in principle, can he produce, besides weapons and parts for Russia? Burning MAZ trucks? And we see how often MAZ trucks catch fire in Russia as well. What can he offer to the people? The Belarusian light industry has been completely ruined over the past 30 years — long before any sanctions. "A competent manager"? What a disgrace. This is where the absurdity lies. But, just like the regime itself, critics of the sanctions somehow prefer not to focus on this. Not on the fact that Lukashenko has taken North Korea as a model, a country also incapable of producing anything for its people. And in fact, it’s even more interesting there: the country that serves as an example for Lukashenko can’t even produce enough food to prevent its population from starving. Instead, it produces weapons. In such quantities that there’s enough to sign contracts with Russia, supplying it by the trainload. An excellent role model, right? There’s so much to aspire to, so much room to grow! Instead of producing goods for people’s lives, produce things that take lives away. And at the same time, cry about unfair sanctions and threaten everyone around with nuclear weapons and "unacceptable damage".

The Deputy Head of the NAM, Artsiom Brukhan, reflected on Euroradio about the harsh sanctions, the discrimination against Belarusians, and whether the West intends to completely isolate Belarus. Looking at the situation globally, we have the following: on June 29, the EU imposed the 7th sanctions package. Three days later, Lukashenko announced that he was ready to release his "opponents." On July 13, he ordered the withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border. Four days later, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ryzhenkov, whose grandmother and mother are Polish, announced visa-free entry for 35 European countries. This does not seem like a coincidence. Why are European countries restricting ordinary Belarusian citizens? As a Belarusian, I cannot support this, but the logic behind the decisions of Lithuania and Latvia is security. They are very concerned about aggression and Lukashenko's intelligence services. These countries have small populations and many Russian speakers who watch Kremlin propaganda. Considering this, the Baltic countries' politicians have unfortunately made harsh and unpleasant decisions for us. Does this mean that Belarusians will be treated like Russians? European countries understand who Belarusians are and who Russians are. Efforts are being made, media work is being done, and contacts with EU politicians are being maintained to convey the clear message that Belarusians are not Russians and not aggressors. As long as Belarus does not deploy its army to Ukraine, nothing will change.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the People's Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador How many foreigners are in the prison of Lukashenko's regime? Why has Lukashenko taken them hostage? What does he need them for? Why is he negotiating with them? And how is all this related to the sanctions? Today, we will discuss the foreign political prisoners in Lukashenko’s prisons. Let's start with another question. Why are Belarusian neighboring countries from the EU imposing restrictions at the border? There are several answers to this question: the migration war initiated by Lukashenko with Russia's involvement, the Lukashenko regime's participation in aggression against Ukraine—essentially in the war on the borders of the European Union, the presence of thousands of political prisoners in Belarusian jails, including EU citizens. There can be many answers, but they all share a common characteristic—these are deliberate, targeted, and systemic actions by Lukashenko and his associates, for which only Lukashenko and his associates are responsible. There is also another significant factor. Both the detention of EU citizens in Belarus, the storming of the borders of EU member states by migrants with the assistance of Lukashenko's security forces, and the recent killing of a Polish soldier at the Poland-Belarus border can be described by one common characteristic. All of these actions pose a threat to the national security of Belarus's neighboring countries. These are actions by the Lukashenko regime that represent a threat to our neighbors. Foreign citizens, including citizens of EU countries, continue to be held hostage by the regime. Today, citizens of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, as well as Ukraine, the USA, and other countries remain in captivity. According to the human rights center “Vesna” about 25 foreign nationals are now held in places of deprivation of liberty on political grounds. They are persecuted for participating in protests, making comments, passing information to independent media, and even to their relatives abroad, and are also accused of “espionage” and “agent activity.” Recently, the Belarusian information portal Zerkalo.io published a memo highlighting what foreigners should be prepared for if they wish to take advantage of visa-free entry and what risks and consequences such actions may have. The journalists of the publication note that in Belarus, a foreigner can be taken hostage to later negotiate for the regime’s foreign policy goals—an example being a German citizen; a foreigner will have to seriously reconsider their tastes and wardrobe since wearing clothing and accessories in “incorrect” colors can lead to imprisonment in Belarus; the use of unapproved historical symbols is prohibited; criticism of Lukashenko can easily lead to imprisonment, and even death in captivity. Furthermore, speaking out against the war is prohibited, as an anti-war stance can also lead to imprisonment, and charity work can be considered support for extremism—resulting in the loss of both money and freedom. And the obvious question arises: how many foreigners are willing to take such risks? How many are ready to accept Mr. Ryzhenkov’s invitation to become hostages in Belarus, to be traded like commodities?

Pavel Pavlovich Latushko: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Reasons for  the sanctions Against Lukashenko's Regime The sanctions imposed by the European Union against Lukashenko's regime are based on numerous violations of international law and human rights. The main reasons that prompted the EU to take such measures include the regime's ongoing criminal actions that threaten regional security. Over the past four years, the EU has imposed sanctions on the following grounds: Complicity in Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Conducting hybrid warfare against EU countries using illegal migrants. Repression and the presence of political prisoners, including foreign citizens. Evasion of sanctions imposed on Russia. Sabotage on the territory of EU countries. Hijacking of a European civilian aircraft. Forced deportation of Belarusians to EU countries. More than 136,000 victims of crimes against humanity committed by Lukashenko's regime. Various other reasons. Lukashenko and his regime are the primary cause of the sanctions, as their actions harm both Belarusians and residents of EU countries. Sanctions on Furniture Manufactured by Prisoners and Political Prisoners Sanctions on Furniture Made by Prisoners and Political Prisoners In 2023, the Lukashenko regime exported furniture to the European market worth €121.4 million, compared to €216.9 million in 2022. Major importers included Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Romania. New EU sanctions now prohibit the import of furniture from Belarus falling under customs codes 9401 and 9403. Sanctions on Equipment for Russia's Aggression Sanctions have been imposed on the import of industrial equipment, including machinery, radar and radio navigation equipment, remote control apparatus, lasers, measuring instruments, and other industrial goods into Belarus. Various industrial products (Section XX of the HS Code) accounted for about 13% of the EU’s exports to Belarus in 2023 (or €186 million), with an additional 12% (or €173 million) being machinery and instruments (Section XVI of the HS Code). These items were used for military purposes supporting the Russian army. Their supply from the EU to Belarus is now prohibited. Sanctions on Cable Equipment New restrictions affect the export of cables from Belarus to the EU. Products with code 8544 ("Insulated wires […]") were a significant export item for the Lukashenko regime, amounting to €96.5 million in 2023 and €119.4 million in 2022. The latest sanctions package also bans the import of this product from Belarus into the EU. Sanctions to Circumvent Russian Diamonds In 2023, Belarus imported diamonds from Russia amounting to 246,800 carats valued at $35 million, significantly higher than the 28,300 carats in 2021. Exports of diamonds from Belarus also increased to 220,900 carats worth $30 million. This indicates attempts to circumvent sanctions on Russian diamonds by reselling them as Belarusian. The import of diamonds from Belarus into the EU is now banned. Control Over Sanction Evasion The new EU sanctions package includes a requirement for European exporters to include a "Belarus clause" in contracts, prohibiting the re-export of sanctioned goods to Belarus. European companies exporting defense goods must implement controls to prevent their re-export to Russia. Transit through Belarus of certain sanctioned goods and technologies, including dual-use items, is also banned. These measures are intended to prevent sanctions evasion and enhance control over exports to countries supporting aggressive actions against Ukraine and other states.

Pavel Latushka:  Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador The Lukashenko regime creates real threats for Latvia and the EU, including manufacturing a hybrid aggression crisis on the border through artificial migration, as well as increasing military threats, sabotage activities, and propaganda against Latvian society and state. It's important to note common cases of Russian citizens using Belarusian plates to bypass restrictions and enter Latvia. We fully support stopping the transit of goods intended for trade across the EU-Belarus border to limit the movement of freight transport and stop sanctions circumvention. This sanctions evasion allows Lukashenko's regime to diversify income sources to aid the aggressor and contribute to prolonging the war of aggression. We have witnessed such measures effectively pressure the Lukashenko regime. However, we once again convey that restricting mobility and movement of people is inappropriate. It's important to maintain contacts between the Belarusian community expelled from their country and those remaining inside Belarus. Disrupting passenger traffic enables propaganda undermining EU policy toward Belarus by portraying Europe as isolating Belarusians rather than Lukashenko's regime. The NAU believes it's necessary to demonstrate restrictions target the criminal regime, not people. We also believe exiled Belarusians deserve preferential vehicle re-registration. We call on Latvia's government to reconsider this decision's impact on Belarusian citizens. We appeal to Poland and Lithuania to refrain from measures primarily affecting society over Lukashenko. During a recent UTC meeting, Poland's Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk said Poland currently lacks information on such approaches and hasn't made decisions about Belarusian plates. But if considered, Poland will aim to separate regime from citizens and provide advance notice. We urge the Latvian government to reconsider this decision in the context of restrictive measures applied directly to Belarusian citizens. We also appeal to the authorities of Poland and Lithuania to refrain from such measures, which primarily affect Belarusian society rather than Lukashenko's regime. Today, during a meeting with the United Transitional Cabinet members, Poland's Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Maciej Duszczyk addressed the current situation, noting that Poland presently lacks information on such approaches and has not made any decisions of this kind. However, if these issues are considered, Poland will make efforts to distinguish between the regime and the Belarusian people. Poland is prepared to provide advance notice before adopting any such decisions affecting Belarusians.

Pavel Pavlovich Latushko: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Information has emerged that the Lukashenko’s regime has sentenced an EU citizen, specifically a German citizen named Rick Krieger, to death. He is accused by the regime under five articles of the Criminal Code, including an act of terrorism. The German Foreign Ministry has already confirmed the information about the death sentence. Firstly, the very fact of a death sentence, the fact that the death penalty still exists in Belarus in the 21st century, can only be assessed in one way: this must not exist in a European country. This sentence can be interpreted as a terrorist act, and Lukashenko is indeed a terrorist who has repeatedly committed acts of state terrorism, including the hijacking of the Ryanair plane. We remember this well. Undoubtedly, he is demanding some price — ransom or exchange — for the life of the German citizen. And one might even speculate on what that price could be. Let's try to understand this situation better. There are grounds to believe that the entire situation with Rick Krieger is a collusion between Lukashenko and the Kremlin. After all, in Germany, there is a Russian FSB officer, Vadim Krasikov, serving a life sentence for the public murder of a political refugee in Berlin. According to some sources, the Kremlin's leader wanted to exchange Krasikov for Navalny, then there were attempts to trade him for Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist for "The Wall Street Journal" who was taken hostage in Russia and was recently sentenced to 16 years in prison. However, Germany refused. Now, Lukashenko and Putin have decided to leave Berlin with no choice — they have taken a German citizen hostage and threatened him with the death penalty. Let's break this down: FSB officer Krasikov is serving a life sentence in Germany for a real political murder, and Lukashenko, at the Kremlin's behest, has sentenced a German citizen to death. Life imprisonment in one case and the death penalty in the other — they have raised the stakes. Incidentally, it is said that when the death sentence was announced to the German citizen in court, he looked bewildered and surprised. The German consul and the lawyer were also shocked, with the lawyer blushing in confusion, as it was unclear why this sentence, let alone a death sentence, was handed down. A question to Lukashenko's entourage: Do you really want to bind your destiny to this erratic terrorist who commits criminal actions against one of the leading countries in Europe and the world? Secondly, let's analyze the potential consequences of having a German citizen taken hostage by the regime, especially one who is facing the threat of execution. We already see how Lukashenko's regime has exacerbated relations with the European Union — with mass repressions in Belarus, the orchestration of a migration crisis, taking European citizens hostage on fabricated charges, and complicity in the war against Ukraine. The situation created by this erratic individual is closer than ever to a real iron curtain, where not only goods but also passenger traffic could be completely halted. Of course, we understand perfectly well that the dictator doesn't care about people, and the inability of Belarusians to travel to Europe only benefits him. Dictatorship feels much more comfortable in isolation from the civilized world; isolated people are easier to manipulate, it’s easier to sell them the story of a "treacherous and decaying West," and they are easier to repress and control. A completely different story is the flow of goods and trade. The transit of goods. The opportunity to profit from this. The opportunity to profit from circumventing the sanctions imposed on Russia for the war against Ukraine. The opportunity to profit from Chinese transit, being its "window to Europe" within the framework of the "Belt and Road Initiative." All these opportunities for the regime are now closing. Firstly, due to the adoption of a new package of sanctions by the European Union on June 29, which significantly harmonized economic sanctions against Russia and the Lukashenko regime. These are sanctions for the war against Ukraine, in which the Lukashenko regime is an accomplice and, prior to their adoption, a holder of the "gray zone" for their circumvention. The harmonizing package largely closed this sanction loophole, being in essence an effective measure to control the enforcement of sanctions. And a necessary measure from the point of view of depriving Russia of resources, goods, and technologies to support its aggression against Ukraine. Secondly, the "Belt and Road Initiative," specifically the Chinese transit through the Belarus-Poland border, is under threat. The reason, once again, lies with the Lukashenko regime, which has been waging a hybrid war against this country, as well as Lithuania and Latvia, through the organization of a migration crisis since 2021. There have already been casualties on the Polish side in this conflict. One such victim is Mateusz Sitek, a soldier who died from a knife wound inflicted by a migrant. Incidentally, information that the murderer of the Polish soldier is still on Belarusian territory has been published by Polish intelligence services in recent days. Additionally, 25 Polish soldiers have been injured to varying degrees while guarding the border due to attacks by illegal migrants. Furthermore, since March 25, 2021, the Lukashenko regime has held Andrzej Poczobut hostage — a journalist, activist, representative of the Polish national minority, and member of the "Union of Poles." At the moment, the situation is the following: Poland is declaring its readiness to completely close cargo traffic with Belarus if the Lukashenko regime does not meet its demands: stop the migrant attacks, hand over Mateusz Sitek's murderer, and release Andrzej Poczobut. China has been informed about this and is being forced to get involved, as its transit routes would be threatened. Lukashenko's regime has already received a signal from China that his actions are undesirable and that he should resolve his issues with Poland. Thus, Lukashenko is attempting to diversify his dependence on Russia by moving closer to China, or at least demonstrating such a shift. However, achieving this without provoking a backlash is, to say the least, a daunting task. The "stray" Russian drones in Belarus strongly hint to Lukashenko that he will not be allowed to switch allegiances. By sending drones, Russia is making it very clear to Lukashenko that his flirtation with China is against Russia’s interests. But he has only himself to blame: he’s reaping what he sowed. Thus, the current position of Lukashenko's regime is quite uncomfortable. The harmonization of sanctions calls into question his further usefulness to Russia as a supposedly "independent" entity. Due to the adoption of the new EU sanctions package, Belarus's "window to Europe" is closing. Maintaining Lukashenko, who is now scrambling to keep his footing, just for his good looks, seems like a dubious investment, doesn't it? On the other hand, he is also under pressure regarding Chinese transit. In both cases, he is already incurring serious costs that will only worsen over time. And he understands this perfectly well. Yet instead of taking practical steps, he continues to make superficial ones. Although he tries to send signals to the West, the EU, and Poland about his supposed readiness for dialogue, he is still only offering symbolic gestures. For instance, he has introduced visa-free entry for citizens of 35 European countries. Through his new foreign minister, Ryzhenkov, he claims openness to communication with Poland, but at the same time, blames Poland for the situation at the border. The regime calls Poland's fundamental conditions unwarranted blackmail. A rather weak and unconstructive negotiating position, wouldn't you agree? It's not surprising that Poland has explicitly stated it will only be ready to talk after practical steps are taken by the regime, rather than populist PR statements. Any attempts to shift the blame onto Poland or to complain about it to China will have no effect, and may even worsen the situation. It would seem that the best scenario for Lukashenko would be to negotiate with Poland, meet its demands, and secure guarantees from China. But instead, it turns out he plans to execute a German citizen. And here, pardon the bluntness, one can only say this: Lukashenko, who tries to present himself as a geopolitical player and strategist, turns out to be simply an idiot. Not that this would have looked much different before the news about the death sentence for Rick Krieger, but this situation only reinforces the thesis we've always presented to our international partners — Lukashenko is neither a rational nor a reliable actor. Engaging in any constructive negotiations with him is meaningless. He is a terrorist. His irrationality, as he himself has admitted, has no "red lines." Will he achieve his goals by terrorizing and blackmailing not only Poland, but also Lithuania, Latvia, and now Germany — one of the leading countries in the European Union and the world? Will he succeed in having the sanctions lifted and border crossings reopened? I don't think so. Such actions will only accelerate the final descent into an iron curtain. China will not quarrel with the EU for the sake of Lukashenko and will simply reroute its transit routes around Belarus. The advantageous transit position of Belarus will be lost. I'm afraid to even imagine what this will cost our country in the long term. But imagine — and I say this now to Lukashenko's supporters and his entourage, including Maxim Ryzhenkov: imagine that Belarus ceases to be a transit country. Imagine it becoming irrelevant not only to the EU but also to China. And all of you will be left alone with Russia. For Russia, Belarus is simply a territory of purely military interest. Do you really think that in such conditions you will be of any interest to the Kremlin? That it will care about maintaining any level of living standards by injecting non-repayable subsidies into Belarus? That it will need you in your current positions? The examples of such territories are right before your eyes — the occupied L/DNR. And eventually, Lukashenko will be gone. He might be operating under the logic that after him, it’s all over, but you will be the ones left to live here. In a country where an erratic, terrorist old man has signed a death sentence. He hasn’t just signed a death sentence for a German citizen — he has signed it for the country itself. It hasn’t been executed yet. But the trigger is already being pulled.

Pavel Pavlovich Latushko: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Today we will have an evening of stories. Remember when we were learning English, "Once upon a time" ... But seriously, there are indeed three stories about how Lukashenko and his officials were blown away by the wind. The first story: Dmitry Nekroutsky How the new head of the Lukashenko Presidential Administration, who was sent to deal with the disaster in Gomel Region, hid in the forest and was too afraid to visit people who had been without power and water for several days. Why was a state of emergency declared in Gomel Region? Was it so that people could save themselves? In Lukashenko's system, a state of emergency more often means not that all efforts should be directed towards helping people, but that it is dangerous for officials to go there: they will face questions they cannot answer and be unable to provide any assistance. The authorities did not respond for an entire day, leaving people alone with the devastating aftermath of the storm. At a time when help was truly needed, people were left to fend for themselves. And Dmitry Nekroutsky, whom Lukashenko sent to handle the situation, ended up simply going into the forest to look at the fallen trees. What is this? It is complete indifference to the people and avoidance of responsibility. It is also the sheer cowardice of a regime official. The regime is terrified of facing affected citizens directly (as opposed to the carefully selected crowds usually arranged for Lukashenko's or other high-ranking officials' visits). The showy regime fears hearing the truth about its ineffectiveness and inability to handle a crisis. And this is exactly what it demonstrated to the residents of the region. However, Belarusians themselves, much like during the COVID pandemic, showed incredible resilience and self-organization. People cleared debris, sawed fallen trees to access water, and those with generators shared electricity with their neighbors. Belarusians took action on their own, without waiting for assistance from those who were supposed to provide it. And yet today, the dictator managed to accuse them, to accuse ordinary people who actually pay taxes and sustain Lukashenko and officials like him — those who are supposed to protect them. The dictator believes that people shouldn't expect anything and certainly shouldn't express any dissatisfaction. With such a "strong leader," it's no surprise that his officials see themselves as "important" — but only until a serious crisis hits. In such cases, they prefer to hide in their offices or, like Dmitry Nekroutsky, in the forest. They care only about their own hides and positions, not about what people think of their work. Belarusians deserve better! The second story: The Tales of Elena Pavlichko Lukashenko's officials, as usual, work not for the people but for their superiors. Elena Pavlichko, the Chairwoman of the Mozyr District Executive Committee, reports on video the successful resolution of nearly all issues, but the reality is quite different. For the residents of the affected regions, this appears to be a blatant mockery. Most people are genuinely surprised to hear that they already have water and electricity in their homes. The actual situation in the regions is completely contrary to what the official depicts. In the forested areas, exposed wires lie around, some stores were closed, and in the entire 100,000-strong city, authorities distributed drinking water at only six locations, which many elderly residents simply couldn't reach. There was only one gas station open for the whole city, and there was no SMS notification system. This dissonance between the official's statements and the real situation causes confusion and anger among the people. A fair question arises: who are the officials actually working for? Instead of providing real help to those affected by the storm and offering accurate information, officials are trying to please their superiors by painting a rosy picture that bears no relation to reality. And this is not just a problem with this specific case. It is a problem with the entire vertical power system that Lukashenko has built over 30 years of rule. Officials do not want to acknowledge reality; they are engaged in continuous self-deception and the creation of illusions of their vigorous activity. By covering for themselves in front of their boss, they inflict enormous harm on the entire country and the Belarusian people. A system built on servility and sycophancy is incapable of solving real problems. Lukashenko may continue to treat people like fools, praise, and reward his officials, but the facts speak for themselves. The incompetence of officials cannot be hidden under the steamroller of repression. When people encounter officials like Elena Pavlechko, no amount of propaganda can convince them that these officials are performing well. Belarusians need better governance, with local authorities elected in genuine elections and accountable to the people, rather than appointed figureheads who obscure any reality, clinging to their lowly positions with their little blue fingers. We need a system where problems are addressed, not covered up, and where there is genuine respect between the local official and the people, and vice versa. The third story : Lukashenko and the Helicopter What was Lukashenko doing while a city of 100,000 people endured days without water and electricity? Drinking champagne in his palace! He didn’t visit the people, didn’t go to Mozyr, and from his office (not yet from the bunker) berated Belarusians for complaining about the state’s passivity. Again, the people aren’t to his liking! Why didn’t Lukashenko fly to Mozyr — the lover of “sudden” arrivals, like a magician with his helicopter, following a pre-planned script to play the role of a stern and just ruler? Why not this time? The “people’s leader” didn’t go to his “own” people. Was he afraid to hear another “go away” from the people like at the MZKT or something harsher? This is not like 2020, when he would fly around with an unloaded gun and only come out from behind the fence after people had already left. And where is the help from Lukashenko’s “big brother” during the emergency? Did Russia offer any support to its ally in the affected region? Or can they only send combat drones to Belarus and drop them near settlements? By the way, what about the nuclear power plant? The usurper is so proud of his nuclear toy, yet people were left without electricity for several days. What is the energy from the nuclear plant being used for? Promises of energy stability crumbled in the face of the first serious crisis. It turns out this is not a critical object for the country but a $10 billion PR stunt by Lukashenko. A system built on showy projects cannot withstand the collision with reality. Today, he told his cowardly officials that the state apparatus is supposedly working effectively or with minor glitches, but he has no complaints. How can you build a system for 30 years and be unable to solve a single serious crisis in recent years? Every time a crisis occurs, it becomes clear that the state apparatus is failing. Instead of competent and well-thought-out solutions, there is only chaos. Officials are hiding either in the forests or in their offices. The only thing that really works "effectively" under Lukashenko is the repression machine. It operates seamlessly in suppressing any dissent and dissenting opinions, clearly showing what Lukashenko’s priorities for development were. At a meeting, Lukashenko once again claimed that he is taking an exam before the Belarusian people and that the people should see how effectively the system he created works. Yet again, he has failed this exam. The people truly see everything. They see the absolute inability to resolve crisis situations; just remember COVID-19. Lukashenko went so far as to compare this crisis situation to a war. He declared that the only thing missing is shooting from automatic weapons and machine guns. He found a warrior. They left the people behind, sitting and criticizing them in their remote meetings. And Russian drones are flying over their heads and even falling near settlements — yet no actions are taken to protect the people. Not a word, not a peep. A cardboard generalissimo. Next, he’ll claim that the West used atmospheric weapons against us. When people needed real support, not staged performances, Lukashenko, as usual, hid. He doesn’t care about Belarusians and their problems. Behind the facade of a brave "people's leader" lies indifference and fear of Belarusians. Fear of hearing the truth about himself, of facing a reality where people do not tremble and nod but demand real actions. True strength and bravery have always been in the hands of the Belarusians, not in those who call themselves "father" and hide from the people in difficult times. Let’s draw conclusions, let’s do it together.

During a working meeting between Pavel Latushka, leader of the "Latushka’s Team and the Movement For Freedom" faction, faction member and renowned Belarusian actor Ihar Sihou, and a group of Belarusian artists, an agreement was reached to create a platform showcasing the portfolios and information of Belarusian artists in exile. This online platform will serve as a central hub for information about Belarusian actors, directors, and other theater professionals currently living abroad, particularly those from institutions such as the Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater, the National Theatre of Belarusian Drama, the Hrodna Regional Drama Theatre, and others whose members were forced to flee Belarus. The platform will feature video reels, photographs, filmographies, biographies, language proficiencies, and other relevant details. It is estimated that over 100 Belarusian film and theater professionals are currently residing in Poland alone. This platform will enable Polish film agencies and casting directors to easily connect with and hire Belarusian talent for film and television productions. For Belarusian artists, it represents a vital opportunity for creative fulfillment and employment while living in exile. The estimated cost to develop and launch this platform is €3,000. Securing financial support to make this project a reality is a top priority for the Belarusian artistic community in exile. If you are interested in supporting this initiative, we encourage you to contribute to the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) accounts with the designation "For the Platform for Belarusian Culture."

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Pavel Latushka on the destructive actions of the dictator The Lukashenko regime is overtly engaged in a hybrid war against Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. In 2021, he orchestrated a migration crisis on their borders, with his security forces enabling illegal migrants to attack border guards, even resorting to homemade weapons. Just a month ago, Polish soldier Mateusz Sitek was tragically stabbed and killed in such an attack. A total of 25 Polish soldiers have been injured in similar incidents. The regime also dispatches saboteurs to neighboring countries to carry out acts of arson and sabotage. And most egregiously, the Lukashenko regime has been a willing accomplice in Russia's war against Ukraine since 2022. It is entirely understandable that our neighbors are taking measures to protect their national security. Of course, for those of us Belarusians who do not support these aggressive actions, who oppose the presence of Russian troops and nuclear weapons on our soil, who condemn the war and the regime's complicity, who fundamentally oppose this regime and aspire to live in a normal, democratic country at peace with its neighbors – it feels deeply unfair that we are directly affected by these security measures. This is precisely why the Belarusian democratic forces advocate for a clear separation between Lukashenko's aggressive regime and the Belarusian people. And we will continue to do so relentlessly. We must never forget the root causes of this situation. Whose policies, whose aggression, have led us to this point? Who illegally seized power, orchestrated mass repressions, imprisoned thousands, and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homeland? Who is responsible for the inhumane torture and deaths of peaceful protesters and political prisoners? Who transformed Belarus into a launching pad for the invasion of Ukraine, becoming a willing accomplice in this war and a war criminal? Who is terrorizing neighboring countries? The answer is unequivocally Lukashenko's regime. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye and pretend that everything is fine. We cannot feign ignorance as to why a wall is being erected on the border between Belarus and the EU, why defensive structures are being built, and why border security is being reinforced. We cannot pretend we don't understand why neighboring countries are imposing entry restrictions. These days, the Lukashenko regime is deliberately pushing the situation to a point where Belarusians will be completely barred from entering the EU, trapped behind a new Iron Curtain. Closed borders only serve the interests of the dictatorship. It's easier to lie, to repress, to exist in isolation from the civilized world. From day one, Lukashenko has yearned for a return to the USSR, to life behind the Iron Curtain. Better yet, he aspires to surpass those "achievements" and transform Belarus into a second North Korea. Only we, the Belarusian people, can stop him and prevent the fall of a new Iron Curtain. And not just politicians – all of us. Political arguments alone will soon prove insufficient to convince our partners not to isolate Belarusians. We need action. I urge that segment of Belarusian society that is safe abroad, who have the freedom to act openly, to make your voices heard. Do not remain silent. Express your civic position, your anti-war stance. Participate in rallies organized by activists. Organize your own. Be visible. Show the world that Belarusians stand against Lukashenko's dictatorship and the war. Most of you now reside in Europe. Even if it is in forced exile, you have made the European choice. And today, it is you, living in democratic countries, enjoying freedom of speech and assembly, who can amplify this choice within Belarus. Our national interests are our shared cause. Let us fight for them together. Let us stand united against the regime that has placed its lust for power and its own interests above the well-being of our nation.

"In addressing issues faced by Belarusians deported or forced to flee Belarus, it’s key to recognize the Lukashenko regime does not protect Belarusian citizens’ interests, in fact, he denied consular and legal aid to hundreds of thousands outside Belarus," said Deputy Head of Belarus' United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Pavel Latushka, during a working meeting with Poland's Head of Office for Foreigners, Tomasz Cytrynovicz. Tomasz Cytrynovicz informed the meeting participants that over 130,000 Belarusian citizens have been legalized in Poland so far, with many applications pending. Pavel Latushka thanked the Office for Foreigners leadership for attentively addressing the issues faced by the Belarusians forced to emigrate, and for approving the vast majority of international protection cases. He highlighted several problems still needing solutions. In particular, the matter of issuing necessary documents for Belarusians in Lower Silesian Voivodeship was raised again. 300 appeals from citizens are under review there. Tomasz Cytrynovicz plans to visit Wroclaw to meet with the voivode and explore potential solutions, as well as to report back separately on the meeting's outcome. Issues were raised about shady individuals selling spots in line outside Tabarova 33 in Warsaw to people submitting international protection applications. The Office of Foreigners informed that certain measures aimed at restoring order have already been taken and the situation remains monitored. Tomasz Cytrynovicz informed Pavel Latushka that Poland plans to launch an electronic application system for residence permit cards next year. Cytrynovicz stressed the importance of Belarusians resolving any documentation issues promptly to prevent potential difficulties. At the end of 2025, humanitarian residence permits granted in 2022 based on humanitarian visas will expire. The Polish immigration office recommends that holders of these permits take steps to legalize their continued stay in Poland through standard procedures before their current permits expire. Legalization can be sought based on employment, education, economic activity, family reunification, or other qualifying factors. Issues related to obtaining international protection within Poland were also discussed. Tomasz Cytrynovicz explained that applications for international protection from individuals who entered Poland using a visa issued by a Schengen country other than Poland would be assessed individually. He emphasized that decisions in such cases would consider the potential implications for Polish sovereignty. Anna Matsieuskaya, head of the "Partyzanka" initiative, stressed the importance of handling the personal data of individuals seeking international protection with utmost responsibility to prevent any disclosure to the Lukashenko regime. She highlighted that the current 90-day validity period for temporary identity documents is insufficient and requires extension. The head of the immigration office assured her that steps to extend the validity period would be implemented soon. Pavel Latushka expressed gratitude for the inclusion of the Belarusian language in the Refugeebook mobile application. Tomasz Cytrynovicz, head of the Office for Foreigners, responded by noting that a Belarusian version of the office's website would be developed soon in response to a request from the National Anti-Crisis Management.

On July 16, a meeting took place in Warsaw between Andrzej Szejna, Poland's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management. Mr. Szejna reassured Mr. Latushka that Poland has no intention of slowing down its support for Belarusian civil society. He emphasized the importance of the Belarusians maintaining hope for a democratic Belarus that can return to the family of European nations. Mr. Szejna stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish government draw a clear distinction between the Lukashenko regime and Belarusian society: “Lukashenko is a loyal servant of Putin, while the Belarusian people are not subjects of Russia. That's the difference." He and Pavel Latushka agreed that a comprehensive strategy for Belarus should be developed in collaboration with Belarusian democratic forces to ensure its effectiveness. The meeting also addressed the issue of changes to the management and broadcasting system of Belsat TV. The information Pavel Latushka presented will be passed on to the relevant press secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A plan for further participation in reforming the TV channel was also proposed. Anrzej Szejna emphasized that Belarus remains a strategic priority for Poland and is not a forgotten issue. Pavel Latushka proposed the creation of a group of countries, led by Poland, to act as strategic partners for Belarus, similar to the Eastern Partnership initiative previously launched by Radosław Sikorski. Pavel Latushka also suggested holding consular consultations with representatives of Belarusian civil society organizations. Additionally, he proposed discussing planned changes to Polish visa regulations, a matter on which a preliminary agreement had been reached with Justyna Chrzanowska, Director of the Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, Pavel Latushka raised the issue of holding legal consultations regarding the Lukashenko regime's accountability for crimes against humanity in Belarus, complicity in the war against Ukraine, and the deportation of Ukrainian children. He proposed coordinating a meeting with the relevant departments within the Polish Foreign Ministry to discuss this further. Mr. Latushka also initiated a discussion about recent statements by Lukashenko's Foreign Minister, Mr. Ryzhenkov, concerning solutions for issues on the Belarusian-Polish border. He argued that the problem lies not only with Lukashenko himself but also with his inner circle and the system he has built. Pavel Latushka asserted that the regime's suggestions about resolving border issues should be viewed as mere populism and propaganda until concrete actions are taken, such as: the release of all political prisoners; putting an end to repression within Belarus; cessation of support for Russia's war against Ukraine; ending the artificial migration crisis on the borders with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Szejna expressed his sincere personal and professional support for the Belarusian people's fight for freedom: “We must help Belarus so that Belarusian society is not russified. Among the main and constant priorities of Poland’s foreign policy are a strong EU and NATO, a sovereign Ukraine and a free democratic Belarus.”