Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Pavel Latushka commented on the statement of the Investigative Committee of the regime on the persecution of the organizers of Freedom Day-2024 "There are no legal grounds for prosecution, let alone confiscation of property. All those who may become victims of the regime's actions will be able to return their property after the transition of power and receive compensation for the illegal actions of Lukashenko's allies. And those who initiate and implement these measures will be held accountable. And the regime understands this. Why do it, then? Pay attention to the timing. Almost 4 years have passed since the 2020 elections, which Lukashenko lost. He tried to keep power by force. But in a few days, on May 25-27, there will be elections to the Coordination Council, which poses a threat to the regime. And the purpose of this provocation is to try to reduce the turnout for these elections. They feel threatened by the strengthening of democratic forces and try to demotivate Belarusians. But they do not take into account an important detail: the actions of the Investigative Committee and other punitive bodies of Lukashenko only further radicalize Belarusian society, the majority of which in 2020 told Lukashenko everything that he still cannot understand. Now the penal authorities are trying to deprive Belarusians abroad of what was a deterrent factor for some. There is only one conclusion: no one makes such a contribution to the radicalization of Belarusians as the regime itself. Only a weak person – and that is what Lukashenko is – can exert pressure, repression, and bring to criminal responsibility defenseless people, who are our mothers and fathers, grandfathers and grandmothers, brothers and sisters. We will continue to fight to bring Lukashenko and his accomplices to international criminal responsibility. We have already managed to obtain 6 warrants for the arrest of the executioners of the regime, first of all the heads of Akrestina and Zhodina prisons; The KGB and GUBAZIK are recognized by the Senate of the Czech Republic and the Seimas of Lithuania as organizations sponsoring terrorism. We will continue this work so that all criminals understand that accountability is inevitable. And democracy in Belarus will win only when this responsibility comes."

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador The one where "The prisons are usually built for those who steal and kill, but it’s another way round in Prince Lemon’s kingdom: thieves and killers rest in his palace, while honest citizens are kept in prison." Well, the thief and killer, the dictator and military criminal Lukashenko, is no fairy tale character. He's a real-life tyrant. And in Lukashenko's real-world prison, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate sits locked up. A world-renowned human rights activist named Ales Bialiacki. Thousands of other honest people of different professional backgrounds are also rotting in his jails. In this harsh reality, over 136,000 Belarusians have become victims of Lukashenko regime’s crimes against humanity, including torture and rape. Half a million Belarusians have fled their homeland because Lukashenko has turned it into one big prison and military staging ground. And right on Belarus's doorstep, there's a terrible war raging against Ukraine, unleashed by Russia with Lukashenko's support. Maybe this real world looks like this because it is possible to throw a Nobel Laureate in jail in front of everyone, with no repercussions? Maybe it looks like this because it is possible to  imprison, torture, rape, and kill thousands of innocent people without facing any responsibility for that? The question arises – is the world too afraid of Lukashenko? And if the world continues to allow persons like Lukashenko to get away with atrocities, then how much longer will the Nobel laureate remain locked up? I'll tell you – the Nobel laureate will stay in prison for as long as the world allows Lukashenko to keep doing this. For as long as the world fails to remind itself what taking the responsibility is about. Taking responsibility for those who gave their freedom, their health, and their lives for this world. As well as bringing to responsibility those who took the freedom and lives of innocent people.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador The leader of the  "Latushka’s Team and the Movement for Freedom" coalition responded to questions about "job titles" during the "Grand Political Conference 2024" dedicated to the elections to the Coordination Council. "These are not about job titles, this is about responsibility, as well as about new criminal cases and new risks. Running for the Coordination Council, we do so with the weight of our past actions. We want to accomplish even more. If you want an arrest warrant issued for Lukashenko, vote for us. If you want the situation in Belarus regarding crimes against humanity to be addressed, vote for us. If you want a country to take Belarus to the International Court of Justice over the crimes and violence, vote for us. If you want the sanctions list expanded, support us. file an application with the International Court of Justice about the crimes and violence in Belarus, vote for us. If you want the lists of personal sanctions to be expanded, support us. We take action, and we get blackmail from the KGB, threats, and criminal charges in response. I want to appeal to everyone again. We have to understand the difficult situation facing everyone here, including the voters. On one hand, we're fighting for Belarusian votes, which is normal in any election. On the other hand, we witness the regime declaring war on all its opponents, those who are creating an alternative. And at the same time, the regime is doing everything to demotivate Belarusians, to threaten them as much as possible so that they do not participate in these elections. This is a very specific, unique campaign. No one's here for job titles. These are people who've come to fight. I have great respect for all the candidates. The crucial thing is grasping that the fate of Belarus is being decided now. We could end up like North Korea if there's a total crackdown, if the borders close, if visas stop being issued. This is a critical moment for our country and our people. That's why it's so important to vote. Nothing about us should be decided without us." What can we do? Mikhail Kiryliuk spoke at the “Grand Political Conference 2024” Mikhail Kiryliuk spoke at the “Grand Political Conference 2024” "What's left for Belarusians if peaceful protest is impossible and there are no resources for military confrontation? Just sit and wait for two dictators to die? No, we must do everything we can to bring a free Belarus closer. They try to convince us that we need to ease the pressure. But we believe that we can't ease it, we actually need to increase the pressure. If we ease off, it will only help the Kremlin and Lukashenko, not the political prisoners. Those political prisoners are the ones who've posed the biggest threat to Lukashenko over the past 30 years. He won't let them go if we ease up. In the long run, Russia will lose this battle. It's a battle of economies in the long run, and soon we will find ourselves in the situation in which the Soviet Union found itself in 1991. Factors like sanctions, the war in Afghanistan, a bad economy, and a population that lost faith in a better future influenced the collapse of the USSR. Today, the same factors exist, only Russia is much weaker. And when that happens, Belarus will have a chance to be free. But that depends on getting those political prisoners released and creating a democratic parliament. That would be the start of a whole new chapter.” Nothing about us without us Yury Hubarevich spoke at the “Grand Political Conference 2024”. “For Belarusians, the elections to the Coordination Council represent a serious test of our national maturity. This is our chance to demonstrate to the whole world that the problems facing Belarusians are real, substantive issues that require solutions and international assistance. We need to show that resolving these problems depends not just on our own efforts, but also on the international community which professes democratic values and a commitment to upholding them. Belarusians have already proven our capacity for solidarity time and again. Just last year, we saw a massive outpouring of support and donations from people across the country and around the world to aid political prisoners – funds were collected literally in a single day. This demonstrated the Belarusian people's ability to come together and support one another. The program of the “Latushka’s Team and the Movement for Freedom” coalition includes specific proposals for ensuring that international interest and engagement with Belarus not only persists, but grows. Chief among these is the core principle of 'Nothing about us without us' – the idea that Belarusians must have a voice and direct role in determining the country's future. It is crucial for Belarusians to declare our European orientation, our support for Ukraine, to cultivate a network of strategic international partners for Belarus, and to foster inter-parliamentary cooperation. All of these elements are present in our coalition's program. Belarusians must be heard at every level, in all international forums and summits where Belarusian issues are discussed. The role of the Coordination Council in this will be absolutely vital.” How can we release political prisoners? Aleh Kulesha spoke at the “Grand Political Conference 2024” “We must create a functional, legitimate Coordination Council that can effectively communicate to the world the following: the release of our political prisoners is inseparable from the liberation of our captured country. It is impossible to free the political prisoners until we liberate Belarus itself. What should be done to achieve this? It is necessary to effectively exert every effort and resource of the Coordination Council so that the international community accepts sanctions, for the first time, against the fact that political prisoners are subjected to slave labor in penal colonies, and the proceeds of this work are funneled into the arsenal of the Russian Federation. A difficult issue is the recognition and designation of individuals as political prisoners. This will ultimately lead to the fact that we will no longer have political prisoners. The regime will start placing everyone under home arrest and what will we do then? Home arrest is now just as severe as imprisonment in the penal colonies. It drives people insane. Every minute they live under immense pressure and the understanding that tomorrow they may be taken to prison for a smallest “misconduct”. The authorities will simply change their status and they will be sent to the penal colony. The Coordination Council must inform the entire world that there are more than 1,500 political prisoners in Belarus.” In the attached video, you can find more detailed information about the problems faced by political prisoners, the concept of their rehabilitation, as well as the attitude of society towards political prisoners who were repressed before 2020.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Those who tell us about the Russian occupation of Belarus often categorically oppose economic sanctions against the Lukashenko regime. But where is the logic in this? If an occupier has captured and controls the economic resources of a country, why allow them to profit from those resources? Why help the occupiers? In the past, the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia and allowed a formally independent Slovak state to be formed on part of its territory. However, this state was effectively a satellite of Nazi Germany, and its economy served the needs of the Third Reich. Slovakia became an integral part of the German military-industrial complex. In addition to providing food to Germany, the Slovaks manufactured guns and torpedoes for German submarines, as well as fuel for the Nazis. According to the bilateral agreement, Germany took responsibility for "defending" the Slovak state and its territorial integrity. The Germans were allowed to establish military installations in Slovakia and station their own troops there. In turn, Slovakia committed to aligning its foreign and military policies closely with the Third Reich. As a result, Slovakia became a co-aggressor in virtually all the attacks launched by Nazi Germany, much like how Belarus under Lukashenko's leadership has been drawn into aggression against Ukraine and continues to assist the aggressor in every way possible. This pro-Nazi regime in Slovakia ultimately led to the Slovak national uprising in August 1944. It never occurred to the Slovak people that the goods they produced for the German war economy were to the detriment of their own interests. Yet today, many are calling for the Lukashenko regime in Belarus to be immediately released from sanctions, so that fuel, timber, and fertilizers can once again be exported, with the hard currency revenue used to prop up the repressive apparatus and fund joint military projects with Russia. "Sanctions must be lifted immediately!" we hear. But those making this argument conveniently overlook the fact that thanks to Lukashenko, there is effectively no real border between Belarus and Russia, allowing the aggressor free passage of countless goods to and from the West, including materials vital for sustaining the invasion of Ukraine. Some are particularly concerned about the fate of the Belaruskali enterprise, whose management actively participates in the so-called Union State projects. This includes the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus for indoctrination in the "Russian world" ideology. Yet others dismiss these concerns, claiming that Russian oligarchs simply want to get their hands on the company. Meanwhile, Russia, to the detriment of its own oligarchs without such privileges, provides Belaruskali with discounts of up to 40% on the transportation of its potash fertilizers across Russian territory. We sometimes hear that "the democratic forces and their calls for sanctions destroyed the Belarusian potash giant." But in 2023, Belaruskali has nearly reached its pre-sanctions production and export levels for fertilizers, keeping its factories running, though without granting workers the right to form trade unions or strike. No one has introduced sanctions that would cripple Belarusian enterprises and leave the population destitute. Belarus has not been completely isolated, dooming its people to starvation. The sanctions are designed to target those profiting unfairly from the nation's wealth, while allowing enterprises to continue operating and workers to maintain their jobs and wages.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador From the very beginning of the protests, women were not merely alongside their male counterparts, but leading the charge. They inspired and became an example of indomitable spirit for all of us. Pavel Latushka spoke at the opening of the photo exhibition "Minsk Anti Zoo. Red Mark" featuring the stories of Belarusian political prisoners. This exhibition took place at the Free Belarus Museum, a NAM project. Lukashenko once claimed, "I don't fight with women." This, like so much of what he says, is a lie. Since August 2020, at least 8,000 women have faced political persecution in Belarus. Currently, at least 190 women are imprisoned. They are subjected to deliberately harsh conditions, deprived of parental rights or threatened with such, and their sentences are extended. That’s exactly how the regime "doesn’t fight with women." We all must speak up about this injustice, raising the topic of political prisoners on every possible platform – international forums, actions, and meetings. During the exhibition, former political prisoner Darya Afanasyeva, who was incarcerated for two and a half years, spoke about the clothing worn by female inmates in the colony. She displayed a dress and a prison bodysuit from the Gomel prison. The co-creators of the "Minsk Anti Zoo. Red Mark" project, stylist Hanna Pryshyvalka, "Political Prisoner" project founder Yauheniya Douhaya, Free Theater actress Yulia Shauchuk, Raman Bandarenka's sister Volha Kucharenka, and the mother and daughter of political prisoner Antanina Kanavalava, took the stage. The political prisoners Volha Skrashchuk,  Volha Rytus, and Mia Mitkevich also appeared, greeted with thunderous applause. The female vocal group "Spievy" performed during the event. The photo exhibition at the Free Belarus Museum, located at Foksal 11 can be visited until June 9, 2024.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador On May 17, Pavel Latushka met with the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General of Poland, Adam Bodnar. The main topic of the meeting was a discussion of possible Polish support for the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) initiative to bring Lukashenko and his accomplices to criminal responsibility for committing crimes against humanity through the International Criminal Court. Pavel Latushka presented information about the dramatic situation of the Belarusian population, the vast majority of whom oppose dictator Lukashenko. Details were provided about the huge number of victims of torture, rape, enforced disappearances, imprisonment, murder, and deportation. Minister and Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar has extensive experience as Vice-President of the Board of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, as well as Ombudsman of Poland. While in these positions, he was constantly engaged with the human rights situation in Belarus. Today, Bodnar is one of the most respected lawyers in Poland. The Polish Minister of Justice noted that the topic of crimes against humanity committed in Belarus is certainly a focus of attention, and he is aware of the scale of repression. Bodnar stated that he is personally acquainted with Andrzej Poczobut and Ales Bialiatski, who are currently political prisoners among thousands in Belarus. The Minister also proactively informed about the ongoing reform of Polish legislation, which will create the possibility of wider application of the principle of universal jurisdiction in Poland. This would allow the prosecution of those responsible for the most serious international crimes by Polish national courts, regardless of where such crimes were committed. This approach can be applied to those committing criminal acts in Belarus. Bodnar expressed the readiness of the Polish Prosecutor General's Office to assist in the investigation of cases within the framework of universal jurisdiction, where the victims are Belarusian citizens. Adam Bodnar said that his ministry will analyze the possibility of implementing the initiative presented by the NAM to bring Lukashenko to justice in the International Criminal Court for potential further implementation. The Ministry of Justice of Poland received materials prepared by the NAM on the facts of crimes against humanity committed in Belarus.

"Responsibility is inevitable," Pavel Latushka said during a lecture at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan. The participants in the lecture "Crimes committed by the Lukashenko regime" were Polish students and representatives of the Belarusian diaspora. During the lecture, the most realistic mechanisms for bringing Lukashenko and his accomplices to justice for crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people and war crimes related to Russian aggression against Ukraine were presented. Pavel Latushka provided a detailed overview of the situation with repressions in Belarus in order to inform the Polish public about the real conditions in the country. At the same time, 5 specific mechanisms for bringing representatives of the Lukashenko regime to justice were outlined. Pavel Latushka answered questions related to the following matters: the situation inside Belarus and ongoing repressions; the prospects for Ukraine's liberation of territories temporarily occupied by Russia and the impact of the war on the future of Belarus; the reaction of the international community to the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus; the activities of democratic institutions of Belarus in exile; issues of protecting the rights of free athletes, and other topics. More than 50 listeners and media representatives attended the lecture.

On May 15, a meeting took place between Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet Pavel Latushka, Governor of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Maciej Aviżen, and representatives of the Belarusian diaspora in Wroclaw. The head of the voivodeship expressed apologies for the long-standing problem with issuing documents to Belarusians, which developed due to the errors made by the previous administration. The Voivode expressed hope that by the end of June, there will be a clearer understanding regarding the possibility of securing additional funding to increase the number of employees dedicated to resolving the existing problem. Following the meeting with the Belarusian diaspora in Wroclaw on May 14, 2024, which was attended by approximately 200 Belarusians, Pavel Latushka highlighted systemic difficulties in obtaining permanent and temporary residence permits, travel documents, and other related matters in Poland. The requests received from Belarusians during the meeting were conveyed to the voivodeship. Maciej Awiżeń assured that he would make efforts to address them as soon as possible. In total, there are 49,000 pending cases involving foreign citizens, including thousands of Belarusians, that require immediate resolution. These cases have accumulated over the years. Approximately 20,000 Belarusians reside in the voivodeship. During the meeting, Lower Silesian Voivode Maciej Awiżeń acknowledged his understanding of the specific challenges related to the legalization of Belarusians in Poland, particularly in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. These challenges arise from the fact that the Lukashenko regime has denied Belarusians the right to obtain new passports or renew their passports at Belarusian embassies and consulates abroad. The voivode assured that the issues of legalizing Belarusians are a priority within his position as the new voivode of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship and will be resolved. The following specific steps will be taken to address them: The number of employees within the voivodeship administration working on document issuance, including permanent and temporary residence permits, Polish travel documents, etc., will be increased by 51. A special educational program will be organized for a working group comprising representatives of the Belarusian diaspora. This program aims to provide guidance on the proper collection of documents to expedite the resolution of legalization issues. Ваявода Ніжнесілезскага ваяводства Мацей Авіжэнь падчас сустрэчы запэўніў Паўла Латушку аб намерах вырашыць да канца бягучага года назапашаныя ў перыяд да сённяшняга дня праблемы легалізацыі беларусаў. During the meeting, Lower Silesian Voivode Maciej Awiżeń assured Pavel Latushka of his commitment to resolving the accumulated problems of legalizing Belarusians by the end of this year. The voivode has personally accepted dozens of non-standard and urgent cases involving Belarusians in particularly challenging situations for prompt consideration and appropriate decision-making. Pavel Latushka will prepare proposals for the voivode to be considered for potential amendments to the law on foreigners. These proposals are crucial for reducing waiting times, minimizing duplicate document requests, and issuing Polish travel documents valid for three years, thereby establishing the identity of foreign citizens in Poland. The voivode pledged to forward these proposals to the central authorities of Poland. As a result of the meeting, a working group composed of representatives from the Belarusian diaspora in Wroclaw was established. This group will liaise with the voivodeship head to expedite the resolution of Belarusians' legalization issues. Maciej Awiżeń and Pavel Latushka agreed to reconvene in two months to assess the progress made during this period and advance the resolution of this problem.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Pavel Latushka on the significance of the elections to the Coordination Council for Belarus. The first and most obvious reason is to finally have the opportunity to participate in the selection and influence of politics, starting from the level of democratic forces themselves. This is incredibly valuable and important in order to gain a positive and healthy electoral experience. Secondly, elections are necessary to uphold the principle of "nothing about us without us." Instead of merely speculating that decisions are being made behind closed doors by foreign entities, active participation through elections allows direct influence and involvement. Thirdly, it is crucial to establish a truly representative body that can advocate for the interests of voters, which will be heard not only by our international partners but also by politicians, as it reflects the choice of the people. To achieve this, it is important to bring  into politics representatives elected by us, rather than those elected by democratic forces themselves. Fourthly, elections are essential for addressing the issue of personnel and filling the void that currently exists within the democratic forces. By electing representatives to the Constitutional Counsil, we can engage 80 individuals who will dedicate themselves to raising the concerns of Belarusians across various available platforms. Lastly, the creation and functioning of democratic political institutions serve as an alternative to Lukashenko's dictatorial regime. These institutions are indispensable for effectively tackling both tactical and strategic challenges. They are necessary to combat dictatorship, protect Belarus' independence in the face of the Russian threat, and prevent a scenario where Russia can freely incorporate Belarus. Moreover, these institutions are vital for preparing Belarus for democratic changes, as change is inevitable and the time for it will come. We must be ready. That is why it is crucial to participate in the elections on May 25-27. We need an elected Coordination Council, and together we can make that choice. You can find the program and the first 9 steps of the coalition "Latushko’s Team and 'For Freedom' Movement" on our Telegram channel.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Under the rule of the dictator, our country has consistently endured and continues to suffer losses across various sectors and industries, including those crucial for the well-being of the population. For instance, in 1990, Belarus had a total of 874 functioning hospitals. However, by the end of 2022, that number had dwindled to a mere 585 hospitals, representing a decrease of 33%. Astonishingly, Lukashenko abolished a staggering 289 hospitals. But his actions didn't stop there—another 27 hospitals were closed in 2023 alone. In total, 316 hospitals have been shut down. Moreover, every year, towns cease to exist within our country. In 2023 alone, 12 towns disappeared. The numbers for previous years are equally alarming: 45 settlements vanished in 2022, 21 in 2021, and 15 in 2020. Over the span of four years, Belarus has witnessed a reduction of 93 settlements. However, during Lukashenko's usurped reign, there's been one area where he has made significant progress. And it's worth noting that this progress is quite substantial. Belarus' external debt stood at $2 billion in 1994. However, as of January 1, 2024, the debt has skyrocketed to a staggering $36.88 billion, marking an increase of over 18 times. Undoubtedly, this scale is incredibly impressive. This prompts a reasonable question: over the course of 30 years, as Lukashenko increased the external debt by 18 times, what exactly has been accomplished? Have more businesses been established? Has the number of hospitals increased? Has a nuclear power plant, built through debt, managed to reduce the cost of electricity for the population? We all know the answers to these questions. All of this has been done so that Lukashenko and his family can establish and own numerous companies in different countries, construct lavish residences, siphon off substantial financial resources from the country, and acquire real estate abroad.

The European Union is currently in the process of preparing a comprehensive package of trade sanctions that will incorporate specific provisions from the "Latushka’s Team and Movement for Freedom" coalition program. Our perspectives have been acknowledged by the EU, and efforts regarding sanctions are starting to yield positive outcomes. According to a report by "Radio Svaboda," the European Commission has drafted a new set of sanctions aimed at intensifying measures against the Lukashenko regime for its support of Russian aggression in Ukraine. The objective is also to align the sanctions with those imposed on Russia. Our team had previously sent letters to the European Commission, the European External Action Service, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of several EU member states, emphasizing the necessity for harmonizing sanctions against the Lukashenko regime. The EU is now prepared to adopt these proposals. We have consistently stressed the importance of implementing such measures, along with other significant actions, to put an end to the exploitation of Belarus as a "black hole" used to circumvent existing sanctions. For instance, documents have revealed instances where goods are initially shipped from Poland to Georgia, but in Belarus, the intended recipient is changed to a company within the Russian Military Industry. The European Commission's project includes new restrictions, such as a ban on the export of dual-use goods to Belarus, as well as navigation equipment and luxury items — categories of goods that have been particularly susceptible to illegal re-exports to Russia. A significant emphasis is placed on enhancing re-export controls, which will help prevent these goods from entering Russia through Belarus. Moreover, restrictions have been introduced on the import of specific goods from Belarus, including diamonds and mineral products. Additionally, limitations have been imposed on the export of goods and technologies used in oil refining to Belarus. It is crucial for us to emphasize that sanctions must not only be comprehensive but also robust enough to close any loopholes. Otherwise, individuals connected to the regime will continue to benefit from these sanctions through various circumvention schemes. We remain committed to working towards the enforcement and reinforcement of these measures, with the ultimate goal of promoting peace and security in the region.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador "Stop pushing Belarus towards Russia! Sanctions are to blame for everything! Give Lukashenko room to maneuver!" Wait, what maneuver?Perhaps a military one? A military maneuver involves the organized movement of troops during a combat mission to secure a favorable position against the enemy, establish the necessary troop formations and assets, and effectively deploy strikes and firepower to destroy enemy groups and targets. An "unexpected" air defense forces inspection recently took place, the same one that had Lukashenko quite concerned about its suddenness and the need for wartime readiness. It appears to be about defense. However, it's unclear who would be attacking Belarus unless Lukashenko plans to strike first. And now, joint nuclear exercises with Russia. Practicing the use of nuclear weapons. Along with threats about the absence of "red lines." All of this requires significant amounts of money and extensive utilization of resources. Resources that no country, especially one as economically challenged as Belarus under Lukashenko, would squander for no reason. Here's another piece of news: Lukashenko dismisses the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Viktor Gulevich. He removes him precisely at the start of another attempted Russian offensive in the Kharkov region. Why does this news draw attention, you may ask? Rumors suggest that Gulevich maintained contacts with Western counterparts who regarded him as an opponent of Belarus' active involvement in the war, including the Belarusian army. And now Lukashenko fires him, right after returning from Moscow. Apparently, this is the "greeting from Moscow" that Lukashenko brought to his generals. Or more accurately, an order demanding the removal not only of those who disagree with active Belarusian army participation in the war against Ukraine but even those who harbor doubts. So, what is Lukashenko preparing for? War? Are sanctions compelling him to take this course of action? Lukashenko’s Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko provided a direct answer to this question at the end of April. He stated that increasing cooperation with Russia is irreversible, even if Western sanctions are eased: "This process is already irreversible, regardless of how the international situation develops further. Even if the sanctions pressure weakens for some reason, we firmly understand, and our Russian colleagues share our viewpoint, that we have learned our lesson. We will rely solely on our own strength." In other words, the choice has been made. Once and for all. With or without sanctions, Lukashenko's regime will continue to "integrate" with Russia. In translation, this means he will push Belarus towards Russia until our country becomes one with it. This has already happened in military terms. And practically speaking, it has already occurred in the economic sphere. This is the maneuvering space that Lukashenko has left for Belarus. It's a maneuver that will cost Belarus its independence if we persist in the utterly absurd notion that Lukashenko should not be provoked or pressured.