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On February 5, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a meeting with the team of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM). The meeting was attended by NAM Head Pavel Latushka and team members: Artsiom Brukhan, Yuliya Harachaya, Artsiom Praskalovich, Iryna Khalopitsa, and others. The meeting took place at the NAM office in Warsaw. At the meeting, several key topics of joint work were discussed: coordination of work between Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's Office and NAM; cooperation on legal directions and bringing representatives of the regime to international criminal accountability,  including in the context of International Criminal Court mechanisms. The NAM team also shared current information on their main areas of work:  assistance to political prisoners, the sanctions track, as well as work on the legalization of Belarusians in Poland. Together, the parties discussed what additional steps can be taken to increase pressure on the regime. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya:   "In today's conditions, it is especially important for us to act together and maintain a common focus. This meeting will allow us to synchronize our efforts in order to more effectively defend the interests of Belarusians, strengthen international pressure on the regime, and work towards a democratic future for Belarus. Thank you to the NAM team for their systematic work."

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. In the life of any dictatorship, sooner or later a moment comes when all the decorations it hides behind wear out so much that they begin to fall apart before our eyes. For Belarus, this moment has arrived now. And if anyone still harbors illusions that Lukashenka has everything under control, I recommend carefully studying the data from the US intelligence briefing presented to Congress on January 28, 2026. This report is not just an analytical note. It is a factual acknowledgment of the finale of that "multi-vector policy" that Alexander Lukashenko tried to sell to society and external players for decades. We are dealing with the final confirmation that practically nothing remains of Belarus's sovereignty, and the person who calls himself president of our country has turned into the main threat to its existence. Military Incorporation: US Intelligence Diagnosis The main conclusion of the briefing sounds like a diagnosis: Belarus now needs to be viewed not as an ally with its own position, but as a direct appendage of the Russian military machine. If by Belarus we are forced to understand Lukashenka's regime, then in simple words the conclusions of US intelligence sound like this: Lukashenka is no longer an agent. And all his attempts to demonstrate otherwise are shattered by facts. Nuclear Trap and Loss of Control Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system. Source: rbc.ru The briefing data reveals the mechanism of what actually happened under the guise of "return of nuclear status." Lukashenka's propaganda tries to feed us the image of a "nuclear power" that can now supposedly dictate terms to neighbors. But the reality recorded by intelligence is quite different. Lukashenka did not receive a "nuclear button." Lukashenka received the status of the Kremlin's "nuclear scarecrow." But he scares not so much the West as he puts the lives of millions of Belarusians at risk. To understand why this is a catastrophe for each of us, we need to realize several facts: Imitation of Subjectivity.  Training Belarusian crews to work with 9M723 missiles of the Iskander-M system is an imitation that propaganda presents as "acquiring a nuclear shield." According to intelligence data, the launch keys and the warheads themselves remain under the complete control of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This means that the decision to launch will be made in Moscow. Belarus here is not a subject, but simply a geographical platform. We are being used as a "remote launch pad." And at the same time, we, not the Kremlin, will be responsible for its actions. Belarus as a "Lightning Rod."  Why does Moscow need to place missiles specifically on our territory? To transfer the point of retaliatory strike from its territory to ours. US intelligence clearly indicates that this "forward bridgehead" was created for nuclear blackmail. In the event of any escalation provoked by Moscow, the first — preemptive or retaliatory — NATO strike will not hit Moscow, but Belarus. At those points where the Iskanders are stationed. Lukashenka voluntarily turned our country into a "nuclear lightning rod," protecting the neighbor's territory. Targets Throughout the Country.  Now every major transport hub, military town, and regional center of Belarus has been entered into the flight missions of Western missiles as a priority target. The presence of nuclear weapons on the territory automatically makes it a place of guaranteed destruction in the event of any conflict. This is not a "shield." This is a huge neon pointer for enemy missiles: "Strike here." Loss of Control Over the Sky Alexander Lukashenka has exploited the slogan for decades: "I guarantee you peaceful skies." Intelligence data proves that he simply handed over the keys to our airspace to Russia, committing an act of quiet capitulation. Liquidation of Air Defense as a National Institution.  As an independent branch of the armed forces, Belarus's air defense de facto no longer exists. Our radars and anti-aircraft systems are now just "sensors" in someone else's command and staff vertical. Decisions about whom to shoot down are made not in Minsk, but at the headquarters of Russia's Western Military District. Belarus as a "Thoroughfare."  Now Russian aviation can use our space as it pleases, without asking permission. This turns us into accomplices of any aggression automatically. If a missile flies from our sky — we answer, although the order was given by some general in Moscow. Vulnerability of the Population.  In the event of a conflict, the Russian control system will cover its strategic objects, while Belarusian cities will remain "expendable material." Lukashenka, who supposedly guaranteed Belarusians "peaceful skies," simply handed over the keys to our airspace and entrusted our security to those who view Belarus's territory exclusively as a "buffer zone" that is not worth sparing. Belarusian Army as Errand Boys Illustrative photo. Source: nara.lt US intelligence in its briefing of January 28, 2026, gives a depressing but truthful assessment of the state of our Armed Forces. For the Kremlin, the Belarusian army is no longer an independent force capable of solving national tasks. Our personnel are classified as "auxiliary support resource." What does this mean in the language of real war? It means that Lukashenka has reduced the Belarusian officer, the career military man, to the level of an employee of a private security company attached to the Russian army. "Human Shield" and Rear Guard Duty.  While Russian units are preparing for offensive operations, regrouping and striking, Belarusian military personnel have been assigned a humiliating role: guarding their warehouses, clearing their roads, providing their logistics and covering their backs. We are being used as "technical staff" who should free the hands of Russian soldiers for real combat operations. Expendable Material for Others' Goals.  In the strategy described by US intelligence, the Belarusian army is just a tool for creating "strategic depth." This means that in the event of a full-scale conflict, the first to come under attack will be precisely the Belarusian units that "prop up" Russian garrisons. Officers who have studied tactics and strategy for years are today forced to perform the role of "plugs" on communications that they don't even control. Humiliation of Military Honor.  The army has always valued agency — the right to give orders on one's own land. Today, however, any Russian lieutenant colonel on our territory has more weight than a Belarusian general. Lukashenka deprived the army of its main meaning — protecting the state, turning it into a free service for the neighbor. Essentially, under the guise of "allied duty," the professional degradation of our Armed Forces is taking place. Officers have been deprived of the right to decide where and why their equipment goes, and in whose interests their soldiers stand guard. Lukashenka sold not only our factories and borders, he has already sold the very essence of officer honor, making the army a free appendage to the Russian defense order. Do they understand this at the General Staff? Certainly. Do they see this in the units? Every day. An army that has been turned into servants is an army that has no future under this regime. All this is not just separate military concessions. This is a systemic process. When you hand over the keys to the sky, turn the army into servants and place someone else's nuclear missiles on your land that you don't control, you cease to be the head of state. In fact, we are witnessing how, under Alexander Lukashenka's rule, the most massive surrender of national interests in our history is taking place. Today he is no longer a "guarantor of independence," as propaganda claims. Lukashenka has turned into the chairman of a liquidation commission whose task is to methodically formalize the transfer of the remnants of Belarusian sovereignty in exchange for personal security and an extra month in power. But the tragedy of the dictator is that by selling the country piece by piece, he is not buying himself peace, but only plunging deeper into conspiracy theories. Paranoia Within the System: Who Controls the Regime? The realization that the real levers of control over the country and even his own army are slipping from his hands generates the deepest paranoia in Lukashenka. After the Maduro case, he finally lost his bearings — now he no longer knows whether he can trust even anyone in his closest circle. We see clear signs of managerial chaos: he is convulsively trying to demonstrate that he is still "number one," conducting military exercises and inspections bypassing Defense Minister Khrenin. This is not just bravado — this is the fear of a person who suspects his generals of loyalty to another center of power. The retreat into the shadows of the KGB chief is also indicative. Tertel, who until recently appeared actively in public, is again almost invisible. Could it be that it is the KGB, not the foreign ministry, that today is the real channel of communication between the regime and the outside world, including the US? And if so, who should Lukashenka suspect most of all of potential betrayal, as was the case with Maduro? Lukashenka always believed that the KGB was his support, but does he still think so? In any case, when a dictator starts playing "hide and seek" with his key security officials, it means the system has entered a stage of internal disintegration. The Mistake of 2020 and the New Elite Consensus Military personnel at the "Minsk — Hero City" monument on August 30, 2020. Source: news.zerkalo.io I venture to assume that today a new consensus is maturing in the ranks of Belarusian elites that fundamentally differs from the situation in 2020. At that time, a significant part of the nomenklatura and security forces bet on supporting Lukashenka, believing that he was capable of guaranteeing the preservation of statehood. But what did they see in the end? What US intelligence has now openly reported. Lukashenka has become the main factor in the liquidation of our sovereignty. I think I won't be wrong if I say that even the Spitz Umka no longer believes that Lukashenka is the guarantor of Belarus's security and independence. In the elites, an understanding is surely maturing: Lukashenka is incapable of protecting the country from absorption because he himself is an instrument of this process. Most likely, if any new critical situation arises, he will no longer receive elite support. On the contrary, they will perceive it as a window of opportunity and a chance to correct their mistake of 2020 — a mistake whose price is obvious to everyone today. Round Table — Path to Saving State Agency Let's speak directly: Lukashenka is no longer a serious player and any real subject of politics for the West. And in such a state, the regime will not be able to agree with the West on any serious, strategic things, on any "big deals." Without a radical change in policy, without changing the situation with the agency of Belarusian authorities, any dialogue between the West and Minsk simply makes no sense. And if the restoration of our state's agency does not begin as soon as possible, Lukashenka will simply destroy it completely. This is precisely why the Round Table option we propose is the best and most workable solution to the situation. The sooner dialogue begins between democratic forces, civil society, and those people in the system who realize the scale of the crisis, the greater the chances of pulling Belarus out of this dead end. The choice between saving the state and loyalty to its liquidator will have to be made very soon. The US intelligence data, announced publicly — this is a very serious and alarming wake-up call. Time is running out. Time to act. Long Live Belarus!

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. Recently, our initiative to organize a Round Table to resolve the Belarusian crisis has sparked active discussion. We expected this proposal to meet fierce resistance from Lukashenko and his propaganda. However, it must be acknowledged: we see certain skepticism and misunderstanding even from some democratic circles and media figures. Our task is not simply to act reactively in the moment, but to proactively create conditions for real change. For six years now, the regime has been trying to convince everyone that the democratic alternative represents nothing. But at the same time, it cannot forget about us for even a day and spends colossal resources and efforts of its special services fighting against us, attempting to destroy our institutions and structures. But if we are "nobody" — why try so hard? Obviously, their actions contradict their own words. But these actions will not lead them to their desired result. We have not dissolved ourselves, have not crawled on our knees, have not walked into the sunset. And we do not plan to do so. We have a strategy, we have a system of institutions and recognition that have never existed before. We have a goal and we have the motivation to achieve it. Lukashenka can claim as much as he wants that he will never sit at the same table with opponents. But history teaches us otherwise. In Poland, the leaders of the PRL said the same thing, swore they would not allow dialogue with "Solidarity." And then there was a series of closed meetings between the authorities and the opposition — and the Round Table. At the same time, the Round Table is not a gift to the regime, it is a tool for returning agency to the Belarusian people. A tool for developing a civilized solution to the crisis. Yes, without the help of our Western partners, organizing this process will be extremely difficult, but to claim that someone should decide our future instead of us — this is a path to renouncing our own agency, our independence and subsequently — renouncing independence itself. A real way out of the crisis for the country is possible only through National Dialogue. And there are examples of such dialogues, even in the most difficult conditions, with the most difficult contradictions. And they worked. Because society wanted it. Our crisis must be solved by us ourselves. And it is within Belarusian society that an agreement must be reached that will return the country to normality.

Illustrative photo Information that emerged regarding changes to the European Union's visa policy toward Belarusians became one of the topics of discussion during working meetings of the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of NAM Pavel Latushka and Speaker of the Coordination Council Arciom Brukhan in Berlin. Pavel Latushka and Artsiom Brukhan held meetings at the Chancellor's Office, at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with non-governmental organizations of the country. Representatives of the German side noted that no changes in visa policy for Belarusians are planned . The policy aimed at issuing visas to citizens of Belarus who wish to visit the EU will continue. Germany is one of the leaders in the number of visas issued. It was also noted that, unfortunately, the German consulate is overloaded with a large number of people willing to obtain visas, however Germany will continue its policy of openness . During the meetings, the position regarding the implementation of the approach to organizing a Round Table to exit the deep internal political crisis in Belarus was conveyed to German partner s. Possible support for this approach from Germany and the European Union as a whole was discussed. On the initiative of Pavel Latushka and Artsiom Brukhan, during the meetings the issue of continuing sanctions policy toward Lukashenka's regime was discussed, as well as maintaining mobility for Belarusians to visit the EU, and support for educational and cultural programs from Germany.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. "Transnational repression has become a systemic tool used by authoritarian regimes to persecute their opponents beyond the country's borders. However, Lukashenka's regime has brought these practices to a scale that meets the definition of persecution as a crime against humanity, which falls under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court," noted Coordination Council delegate and member of the Belarusian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Pavel Latushka  during a special event "Understanding Transnational Repression: Risks, Patterns and Consequences for Europe's Democratic Space and Its Most Vulnerable Democracies"  within the PACE session. "In 2020, after the falsified presidential elections, Lukashenka's regime launched a large-scale campaign of internal repression. Its goal, formulated by the dictator himself, was to 'cleanse' Belarusian society of everyone deemed disloyal. For many years, these actions remained unpunished, leading to tens of thousands of arrests and imprisonments, and ultimately to mass expulsions and further extraterritorial persecution of those Belarusians the regime considers 'disloyal'. According to the 2025 report of the UN Group of Independent Experts on the human rights situation in Belarus, since 2020, up to 600,000 people have effectively been deported. People left due to well-founded fear of arbitrary arrest, detention without fair trial, torture, threats of child abduction, as well as restrictions on the right to work and access to education. Forced expulsion from Belarus is not the end of suffering for those being persecuted, but, on the contrary, becomes the beginning of transnational persecution by the regime. The scale of transnational repression is intensifying every year and today affects almost everyone who has been expelled from the country," Pavel Latushka noted. Pavel Latushka emphasized that in 2023, Belarusian consulates stopped issuing and extending passports, and also refused to process other important documents, such as powers of attorney necessary for conducting property transactions. It was also emphasized that the regime has unleashed a campaign of judicial persecution, using trials in absentia against Belarusians abroad to punish those who openly oppose Lukashenka's regime. "Such procedures often end with draconian sentences of up to 20 years of imprisonment – solely for exercising fundamental human rights, for openly opposing crimes committed by the regime, and for showing solidarity and support for those persecuted by the regime,"  Pavel Latushka noted. Pavel Latushka's full speech  during the special event within PACE is available on the official website of the People's Anti-Crisis Management. Analysis of the situation with transnational crimes against Belarusians on Pavel Latushka's YouTube channel . Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. This special event was organized by PACE rapporteur Konstantinos Efstathiou , the Group of Socialists, Democrats and Greens at PACE, and the organization "Platform for Peace and Justice" . Konstantinos Efstathiou is now working on preparing a special report dedicated to crimes of a transnational nature. According to an agreement between Pavel Latushka and Konstantinos Efstathiou, a significant part of the document is planned to be devoted to issues of transnational crimes against Belarusians . Subsequently, these materials may be used to advance issues of legal accountability of representatives of Lukashenka's regime for committing this type of crime.

Photo: NAM Media Theses of the Speech by Pavel Latushka, Delegate of the Coordination Council and Member of the Belarusian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, delivered at a Special Event of the PACE titled “Understanding Transnational Repression: Risks, Patterns and Implications for Europe’s Democratic Space and Its Most Vulnerable Democracies” during the PACE Winter Plenary Session (26–30 January 2026) 29.01.2026 Mr President,  Dear colleagues, I see it as my task today to reveal the circumstances of the extraterritorial persecution of Belarusians, which could be the largest case of transnational repression in Europe. In 2020, following a fraudulent presidential election, Aliaksandr Lukashenko’s regime launched an extensive campaign of internal repression. Its goal, articulated by the dictator himself, was to “cleanse” Belarusian society of all deemed disloyal. For years, these actions went unpunished, leading to tens of thousands of arrests and imprisonments, and ultimately to mass expulsions and further extraterritorial persecution of those the regime considered  “disloyal”. Deportation According to the 2025 report of the United Nations Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus, up to six hundred thousand people have left Belarus since 2020 . This represents six point four percent of the country’s population  at that time. The overwhelming majority of those targeted fled Belarus because of repressive conditions and oppression . The UN Group of Independent Experts confirmed that people left due to a well-founded fear of arbitrary arrest, detention without a fair trial, torture, threats of child removal, and restrictions on the right to work and access to education . Nearly all victims interviewed  reported that they had no genuine choice but to leave . In addition to creating oppressive conditions, the regime actively resorts to direct physical deportations . The expulsion of political prisoners is  a striking example. On the screen, you can see a direct quote from one of the victims. I would like to once again underscore — six point four percent of the population . This is an unimaginable figure , representing an irreparable demographic loss  for our nation. Photo: NAM Media Transnational repression Forced expulsion from Belarus is not the end of the suffering  for those targeted, but rather the beginning of transnational persecution  by the regime. These repressive actions affect everyone who has left Belarus due  to political persecution or the fear of such persecution. Human rights organizations have documented that these abuses intensify every year and now affect almost all those expelled from the country. Notably, already in 2023, Belarusian consulates have stopped issuing and renewing passports, leaving hundreds of thousands of Belarusians at the risk of de facto  statelessness, as well as other important documents, such as a power of attorney required for property transactions. As a result, those targeted are deprived of the ability to travel or obtain the documents necessary for a normal life abroad. Today, we can already speak of dozens of children who were born without the ability to obtain a passport. Additionally, the regime unleashed a campaign of judicial harassment , using trials in absentia against Belarusians abroad to persecute those who speak out against Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s regime. As of December 2025, the authorities have launched hundreds of criminal proceedings against Belarusians in exile, with Human Rights Center Viasna reporting   at least 200 trials conducted in absentia . Such trials are typically conducted in blatant violation of internationally recognized fair trial standards, and with most independent lawyers forced into exile, disbarred, imprisoned or effectively silenced. Almost no one is left to defend those charged on politically motivated grounds. Individuals must always fear that they have been included in the Belarusian wanted list, and consistently face uncertainty and risks of detention or deportation when travelling. The regime does not even shy away from  abusing Interpol’s red notice system to persecute Belarusians on politically motivated grounds. Such procedures often end in draconic sentences of up to 20 years of imprisonment - for simply exercising fundamental human rights, for openly opposing the atrocities committed by the Belarusian regime, and for showing solidarity and support for those persecuted by the regime. In parallel, the authorities do everything they can to intimidate and silence Belarusians abroad - by threatening them and their family members remaining in Belarus, by surveilling them abroad. By creating an atmosphere of fear and distrust in the Belarusian diaspora to discourage Belarusians from speaking up.  Conclusion Transnational repression has become a systematic tool used by authoritarian regimes to pursue their opponents beyond national borders. However, the Lukashenko regime has taken these practices to a scale that meets the definition of persecution as a crime against humanity, over which the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction. Impunity has been one of the key drivers enabling the expansion of these repressive practices. Will justice remain blind and silent?

Illustrative photo Bank Millennium "will provide clients who present a temporary identity certificate for foreigners (TZTC) with the ability to use bank accounts to the extent provided for in the contract, including electronic banking channels,"  states the official response of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) to a letter from the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of NAM Pavel Latushka , regarding difficulties faced by citizens of Belarus when using banking services in Poland. On November 19, 2025, Pavel Latushka in his appeal to the Polish Financial Supervision Authority noted that, despite significant improvement in the situation regarding Polish banks' recognition of the temporary identity certificate for foreigners as a document confirming identity, citizens of Belarus still face problems in this area.  As an example, a specific case was described when a citizen of Belarus whose passport had expired and who had a temporary identity certificate for foreigners was denied continuation of account services at Bank Millennium . In response to this appeal, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority stated that it "analyzed and discussed with the bank the situation described in relation to the bank's client, in the context of the bank's generally accepted practice in similar cases. The bank stated that as of December 30, 2025, it implemented solutions that meet the requirements of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority. These measures ensure recognition of temporary identity certificates for foreigners as documents confirming identity." Also in his letter, Pavel Latushka requested consideration of the possibility of not blocking accounts of citizens of Belarus whose passports have expired until these citizens receive a decision on granting or refusing a residence permit. It was proposed to recognize as a document confirming the status of waiting for a residence permit in Poland, the corresponding stamp in the passport or another document confirming acceptance of the application. In response to this request, KNF stated that it is currently conducting a legal analysis, within which it has sought consultations with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The response notes that the final position that can be transmitted to banks "must be previously agreed upon with the General Inspector of Financial Information as the authority competent in matters of combating money laundering and terrorist financing." "I am grateful to the Polish side for effective interaction and a constructive approach to resolving issues related to the legalization of Belarusians in Poland. Support in resolving banking problems is an important step in ensuring the rights of Belarusians who are forced to be in Poland due to the atmosphere of fear and terror created in Belarus,"  noted Deputy Head of the Cabinet Pavel Latushka.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. "Despite the efforts of the United States to release political prisoners, even more people are being recognized as new political prisoners. It looks like a conveyor belt. Literally before today's meeting, the human rights center ‘Viasna’ recognized 8 more Belarusians as political prisoners. PACE's attention to the situation in Belarus is very important for us,"  noted Coordination Council delegate and member of the Belarusian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Pavel Latushka during a meeting of the PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy. Delegation of the Coordination Council of Belarus to PACE, 27.01.2026 During the meeting of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, PACE rapporteur on Belarus Emanuelis Zingeris  spoke: "Belarus is a key element of security in the region. And only an independent, democratic and free Belarus can guarantee such security. Only systemic democratic changes, not tactical agreements with the dictator, can ensure peace and stability in Europe." In his speech, the PACE rapporteur on Belarus noted that Lukashenka's regime continues mass political repression, and since 2020, more than 8,000 people have been convicted in politically motivated criminal cases, including 1,254 people in the past year. Emanuelis Zingeris emphasized that despite releases, the number of political prisoners in Belarus remains consistently high. As a result of negotiations with the United States, 342 hostages were released, with 189 people deported from the country, but during the same period 609 people were recognized as political prisoners in Belarus.  As a result of such regime policies, more than 790,000 Belarusians – 8.7% of the country's population – have left Belarus, according to UN data . The rapporteur on Belarus also noted that Lukashenka's regime is carrying out one of the most extensive campaigns of extraterritorial repression. Systematic campaigns are being conducted to discredit democratic institutions and actors, including the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, the Coordination Council, as well as numerous democratic initiatives and activists. Criminal cases in absentia are being opened en masse, property is being confiscated, families are being persecuted; politicians and activists are attacked and repressed even abroad. "If Europe wants to be strong and be perceived as strong and united, it must remain true to its principles. As long as Lukashenka's regime does not stop internal repression and external aggressive policy, pressure on it should not weaken. At the same time, it is extremely important to emphasize: Lukashenka is not Belarus. There is a Belarusian society that, despite repression, pressure and extraterritorial persecution, continues to demonstrate its agency. It creates democratic institutions and clearly articulates its aspiration for freedom and democracy. The brightest example of such democratic practices, including in exile, is the Coordination Council,"  noted Emanuelis Zingeris. "I fully support the rapporteur's statement. Lukashenka's regime does not stop repression. This is the most extensive repression in Europe in recent decades. The number of political prisoners is around 1,150 people. About 40 new people become political prisoners every month. I ask my colleagues at PACE to talk about Belarus and not forget about political prisoners,"  Pavel Latushka noted in his speech.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. "The actions of the military-political leadership of Lukashenka's regime, which led to the act of aggression by Belarus against Ukraine, must be properly documented. This is exactly the work that the People's Anti-Crisis Management is now carrying out,"  noted Coordination Council delegate and member of the Belarusian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Pavel Latushka during a meeting of the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. "By providing the territory of Belarus for missile and air strikes, as well as for the ground invasion of the Russian army, Alexander Lukashenka and other representatives of his regime committed the crime of aggression in accordance with the norms of international criminal law, including the interpretation enshrined in the Statute of the Special Tribunal. Holding Alexander Lukashenka accountable for the crime of aggression is crucial for restoring the rights of thousands of Ukrainian civilians who suffered as a result of missile and air strikes, as well as those who were forcibly displaced from the territory of Ukraine to Belarus and Russia, many of whom remain to this day in places of internment and are subjected to torture. I call on you not to forget the role of the military-political leadership of Belarus in the aggressive war against Ukraine,"  Pavel Latushka stated. Full speech  by Pavel Latushka during the meeting of the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

Illustrative photo Theses of the Speech by Pavel Latushka, Delegate of the Coordination Council and Member of the Belarusian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, at the meeting of the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights during the PACE Winter Plenary Session (26–30 January 2026) 28.01.2026 Dear Chair, dear colleagues, Representing the Belarusian democratic forces and speaking on the issue of accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, I consider it my duty to emphasize, each and every time, the necessity of holding the current military and political leadership of the Lukashenko regime accountable. By providing the territory of Belarus for missile and air attacks, as well as for a ground invasion by the Russian army, Aleksandr Lukashenko and other representatives of his regime committed the crime of aggression under international criminal law, including as defined in the Statute of the Special Tribunal. The actions of the military and political leadership of the Lukashenko regime that led to an act of aggression by Belarus against Ukraine must be properly documented. This is precisely the work currently being carried out by the National Anti-Crisis Management, which I have the honor to lead. Holding Aleksandr Lukashenko accountable for the crime of aggression is essential for the restoration of the rights of thousands of Ukrainian civilians who have suffered as a result of missile and air strikes, as well as those forcibly transferred from Ukraine to Belarus and Russia, many of whom remain interned and are subjected to torture to this day. I encourage you not to forget the role of the military and political leadership of Belarus in the aggressive war against Ukraine. P.S. Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, stated that Lukashenko and his accomplices are responsible for committing the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

Illustrative photo Theses of the Speech by Pavel Latushka, Delegate of the Coordination Council and Member of the Belarusian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, at the meeting of the PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy during the PACE Winter Plenary Session (26–30 January 2026) 28 January 2026 I fully support the rapporteur’s statement. The Lukashenko regime does not stop the repression. It is the largest repression in Europe in recent decades. The number of political prisoners is about 1,150 people. Every month, around 40 new people become political prisoners. Despite the efforts of the United States to free political prisoners, even more people are recognized as new political prisoners . It looks like a conveyor belt. Just before today’s meeting, the human rights center “Viasna” recognized 8 new Belarusians as political prisoners. In Belarus, more than 2,000 NGOs no longer work. All political parties and independent media have been shut down. The country is under total control. The regime controls all areas of life and society. For us, the attention of PACE to the situation in Belarus is very important. The Lukashenko regime continues to support Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.It also carries out hybrid attacks against Lithuania and Poland. The regime persecutes Belarusians outside the country. According to the UN, at least 800,000 Belarusians have left the country since 2020. I ask my colleagues in PACE to speak about Belarus and not to forget about political prisoners. We hope that the report will be adopted at the spring session of PACE.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council. "What we managed to achieve at previous PACE sessions – enshrining in the Assembly's documents the responsibility of Lukashenka and his top military-political leadership for the act of aggression against Ukraine and the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children – has already become the foundation for the adoption of subsequent PACE documents" , noted Pavel Latushka , delegate of the Coordination Council and member of the Belarusian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, during the 2026 winter session of PACE, commenting on the adoption of the PACE resolution "Supporting Commitment to a Comprehensive, Just and Sustainable Peace for Ukraine and Security of the European Continent"  and the memorandum to the resolution. It is important to note that the memorandum to the adopted resolution states that a Special Tribunal has been established "to hold Russian and Belarusian leaders accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine" . It also states that "Russia's aggressive war, carried out with the participation of Lukashenka's regime in Belarus, has led to a hardening of the position of both regimes" , and that "as a participant in the aggressive war against Ukraine, Belarus has also strengthened its military alliance with Russia." The memorandum to the resolution emphasizes Lukashenka's involvement in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus. "Within my activities as a delegate of the Coordination Council to PACE, I will continue efforts aimed at creating a legal foundation for further accountability of the top military-political leadership of Lukashenka's regime for aggression against Ukraine. We will also use other possible instruments to achieve justice for Belarusians – victims of Lukashenka's regime. It is planned that a separate speech during the PACE session will be dedicated to this during a specially organized event focused on transborder crimes committed by Lukashenka's regime against Belarusians," Pavel Latushka emphasized.