The answer to this question was given by the NAM lawyer Mikhail Kirilyuk in an interview with Euroradio International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a regulatory structure. The aim of its reports is not to "blame" someone, but to conduct an independent expertise of incidents in the sphere of aviation security. But the two facts established in the investigation will definitely be taken into account in criminal courts: — Belarusian authorities and law enforcement officers knowingly lied about the bomb threat; — endangered the lives of the passengers by grounding the plane. And afterwards they falsified data about the incident. Both facts are gross violations of three international conventions at once: The Hague, Montreal and Chicago Conventions. Given that the violations were committed intentionally, they allow us to raise the question of serious charges of piracy and international terrorism. At least in the U.S., Lithuania and Poland, where the Ryanair incident is already under investigation, these charges could be brought. The ICAO report will be an important clue in the processes in those countries, as well as, perhaps, in other countries whose citizens were on board the plane. "Further, this could be a reason to declare the persons accused of violations, including those through Interpol, internationally wanted. At the request of the U.S., where the charges against the head of Belaeronavigatsia and his deputy have been filed, requests can already be placed. This is the first major direction the NAM plans to address. The second is to put the perpetrators on the international terrorist list. It would be better if somebody from the big political players, such as the USA or the EU did it," Mikhail Kirilyuk concluded in the interview and noted: it's easier to achieve results in the second direction and it's more effective than waiting for investigation and trial. The ICAO report has already given every reason to state: Lukashenko and his associates are air pirates and dangerous for the European Union, and Belarus is dangerous for the international air traffic. Today's U.S. Senate resolution recognizing Russia as a sponsor of terrorism makes this prospect even closer. The sanctions against the Belarusian aviation industry will not weaken, and the planes will not fly over the country from the West until the perpetrators are brought to justice and punished in Belarus or in any other state.

Responsibility is inevitable Despite the complexity of the application, in world practice there are many examples of prosecution for torture, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity through the mechanism of universal jurisdiction. When a common person or even a professional human rights activist thinks about an example of successful cases of this kind, 2−3 cases immediately come to mind. However, in open sources (1, 2, 3) you can find information about more than 100 such cases. How to stop systemic impunity for lawlessness? When people who hold power with weapons torture and kill other people at a time? The answer may be the principle of universal jurisdiction: any state that has implemented this mechanism in its national legislation can prosecute a citizen of another country for serious international crimes, even if they were committed outside the territory of this state, and citizens of this state are not associated with these crimes. This principle is enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, to which almost all countries of the world have acceded. According to international human rights organizations, over the past decade, the number of cases and sentences under universal jurisdiction in different countries of the world has been constantly growing. The vast majority of these sentences were for crimes committed against the backdrop of horrendous human rights violations that have occurred or are occurring during wars, armed conflicts and under dictatorial regimes: from the crimes of the Franco dictatorship in Spain, Gaddafi in Libya, Pinochet — in Chile, torture and executions in Kabul prisons, massacres in Hama, the genocide in Rwanda, extrajudicial executions in Bolivia, Guatemala and the Congo, to the torture of activists in Belarus under Lukashenka’s dictatorship. In recent years (2018−2021), under universal jurisdiction, investigations and trials have taken place in 18 countries around the world. Most such cases were considered in France (27), Germany (21), USA (12), Belgium (6), Switzerland (6), Sweden (5), the Netherlands (5), Great Britain (4), Spain (4) and other states. Do not think that such processes are always delayed for a long time. One striking example is the life sentence of the head of a detention camp in Somalia. In 2015−2016, the Somali defendant in this case, Matammud Osman, was involved in the smuggling of hundreds of migrants into Italy while acting as part of a large transnational criminal group. Their journey aboard minibuses and ships, often in dangerous conditions, was accompanied by armed men from this organization. The journey began in Somalia, continued through Ethiopia, Sudan and Libya, and the final destination was the Italian coast. During two years of continuous criminal activity, the accused ran two illegal detention camps in Libya: Bani Walid and Sabratah. In these camps, hundreds of Somali citizens, women, men, as well as minors, were imprisoned and held in inhumane conditions. On a daily basis, the accused and his accomplices regularly went inside the camps and took the Somali men to the "torture room". There they were tortured with electric shocks, beaten with sticks and iron rods, or used other sophisticated forms of torture. The inhuman and degrading treatment committed against women was mainly of a sexual nature. Doesn’t it remind you of anything? Severe torture in prisons on Akrestsina, in Zhodino, district police departments. All this happened and is happening in our native Belarus. Not somewhere far across the ocean, but right in the center of civilized Europe. But back to the case of Matammoud Osman. On the afternoon of September 26, 2016, a police patrol stationed on Via Sammartini in Milan intervened near a migrant reception center after spotting a group of people arguing animatedly. Several young people asked the police to help. When law enforcement officers approached the group, they saw migrants holding the accused person. With the help of interpreters from the reception center, the police interrogated the migrants, who brought serious charges against the man they called Ismail. Other migrants then lifted their shirts, showing the scars the detainee allegedly inflicted on them, and several migrant women accused Ismail of sexual assault. The next day, more migrants, who had learned about the events through photos and Facebook posts, came forward with accusations. In total, testimonies from 17 migrants were collected. Later, police obtained videos and photographs of the alleged crimes. The police confiscated the defendant’s mobile phones, which contained important evidence. Finally, a medical-legal examination was appointed. The criminal trial began on March 23, 2017. Matammoud was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on 10 October 2017 by a Milan court. Just think about it. The testimony of 17 migrants was enough evidence to justly send a criminal to jail for life. How much evidence do we have that testifies the torture of thousands of victims — participants in peaceful protests in Belarus? Hundreds of volumes, thousands of pages. If someone from those who have soiled their hands in the blood of peaceful Belarusians still believes that they will stay unpunished, then they are very much mistaken. They will be legally responsible for their actions and will assess the law. And our team continues its work, both in the legal and media fields, to make this happen as soon as possible. We consult with human rights activists in a number of European countries, provide assistance and legal support to the victims, and are looking for all possible ways to resolve cases as soon as possible and bring them to the point where the criminals, whose names are well known to us, are put on the international wanted list. At a certain point, you will no longer be able to feel safe behind the walls of your offices. And there will be nowhere to run. A life sentence for the heads of the police department, prisons in Akrestsina and Zhodino is the reality that awaits criminals. Today we directly cooperate with the Organized Crime Investigation Department of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau. The highly professional lawyers of the NAM team conduct an initial consultation and interview with the victims, and then transfer the full package of documents to the investigators. Moreover, the Lithuanian side demonstrates its full involvement in the problem and solidarity with the Belarusians, considering the applications of victims who currently live in any other country in the world and are ready to use the mechanism of universal jurisdiction in Lithuania. As a reminder, we are looking for victims who want to bring perpetrators to justice using the mechanisms of universal jurisdiction.

In order for the world public to understand Lukashenko's real role, the NAM is actively communicating with foreign media. The world community should know Lukashenko's role Pavel Latushka gave an interview to the South Korean news resource "MoneyS", the Polish edition "Gazeta Polska" and a major Dutch media outlet "NOS". In an interview with "MoneyS," Pavel Latushka spoke about last year's migration crisis on the borders of Belarus with the EU countries. In a conversation with a journalist of the portal, the head of the NAM noted: Lukashenko developed a specific escalation plan. Its main purpose was to implement Putin's plan — to provoke Poland into an armed conflict with the Belarusian border guards or to force NATO to reconsider its policy in favor of Moscow. For this purpose, Belarus attracted former military personnel from Iraq, Afghanistan and a number of African countries and trained them in the regional training center "Vidishki”. Under the guise of refugees, the mercenaries took part in skirmishes, after which propaganda announced the "genocide of migrants" by Poles. Other theses from Pavel Latushko's interview with MoneyS: — The media allegations about the first bombardment of Ukraine from Belarus on February 25th are incorrect. The first missile was launched from the territory of Belarus towards Ukraine on February 23rd at 23.00 Minsk time. Lukashenko himself confirmed the same at the meeting of the National Security Council; — one of Belarus' important tasks in the war is to maintain tension on the border with Ukraine, so that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would not be able to redeploy troops from the north to Donbass; — Ukraine must win on its own terms. A territorial compromise in Moscow's favor would end with an invasion of the EU. The first victims of this policy would be Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. Pawel Latushka touched upon the above-mentioned topic of the migration crisis in his conversation with the socio-political publication Gazeta Polska. When asked if Lukashenko's regime was ready for a new escalation this fall, the head of NAM confirmed that there was such a possibility, and the scale could be more serious. "Our sources tell us that Minsk has developed a plan for a conflict on the border with Poland with the possible use of weapons. Without crossing the border, of course, because Lukashenko will not dare to enter NATO territory. This will be done as revenge for Poland's assistance to Ukraine, as well as to show the Russian and Belarusian public: the war is not with Ukraine, but with NATO as a whole," said Pavel Latushka. Other theses from the interview with Gazeta Polska: — The regime and its propaganda continue to consistently form and strengthen the image of Poland as an aggressor and an enemy of the Belarusian nation; — the destruction of the graves of Krajowa Army soldiers is a vile, barbaric, but logical continuation of these information tactics, along with the Emil Chechko case and accusations of "executions of migrants" at the border, the detention of Andrzej Poczobut and the harassment of Polish schools; — Lukashenko recently held a closed meeting on creating the most unfriendly working conditions possible for Western diplomats, embassies, and consulates; — In addition to political and ideological, these actions also have practical goals: to slow down visa issuance and the outflow of Belarusians to the West, to create a pretext for seizing foreign assets, and to banally avenge support for Belarusan democratic forces; Journalists of NOS (Dutch Broadcasting Association) prepared a large material about the role of the Belarusian regime in the Ukrainian war. In his commentary to NOS, Pavel Latushka spoke about the NAM campaign #PunishPutinsPuppet and emphasized: Lukashenko's responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine is not talked about enough. Lukashenka uses a false narrative about the risk of encroachments on the territory of Belarus not only by Poland and Lithuania, but also by Ukraine, as one of the justifications for his complicity in the war. In the case of direct involvement in the war, Belarusian soldiers will face a choice: to be killed in Ukraine or risk their security in their own country. This would end with a boycott of orders and mass protests in the troops, which risk becoming Lukashenko's last.

Are we ready to renounce democracy? Pavel Latushka about the Congress of Belarusians Belarus is going through one of the most important historical periods before our eyes. In fact, the existence of our statehood is in jeopardy. The civilizational way of further development of the Belarusian nation and state is being determined. Proceeding from the above, the team of the National Anti-Crisis Management has suggested earlier that a Congress of the Belarusians should be held, where strategic decisions should be discussed and adopted in order to protect the statehood and further development of independent Belarus. Proceeding from the basic principles of democracy, it seems to be fundamentally important that during the preparation and conduct of the Congress, open and democratic procedures should be observed, among which the following should be highlighted 1. The Congress should be attended by elected delegates representing the Belarusian society. All other forms do not allow the Congress to have a representative function. 2. The agenda of the Congress shall be discussed as widely and publicly as possible in advance and shall be determined by a ranking vote. 3. To ensure maximum representation, it would be important to provide for the participation of about 1,000 delegates in Congress. 4. The Congress should be convened with the purpose of really uniting the citizens of Belarus for the protection of the Belarusian statehood. 5. Decisions at the Congress should be taken on the principle of obtaining the approval of the majority of the delegates. To convene the Congress, we deem it important to form an organizing committee, which is suggested to include representatives of political and civic initiatives. The Coordinating Council may decide on the establishment of the organizing committee. As a citizen of Belarus, I propose to include the following items in the agenda of the Congress 1. Establishment of the National Liberation Movement. 2. Formation of the National body of power of Belarus. I am ready, as a politician, to be elected as a candidate for delegates to the Congress. With a view to endow the Congress with the functions of a representative body, to take into account as much as possible the opinion of the Belarusian society, we propose to hold the Congress on the above-mentioned principles.

On 17 July 2022, the National Anti-Crisis Management Team will present a new Belarusian space in the centre of Warsaw (Free Belarus Museum). On the occasion of the Belarusian Culture Days, the museum opens its doors to talented Belarusian artists, actors and musicians. We invite you to an important event of the day — the opening of the exhibition of the artist Igor Tishin "The House in which the walls are flying apart. Between two moments". Opening time: 14:30h. Address: ul. Foksal, 11 Warszawa (google map). Entrance: free (donations welcomed). Programme Main facilities (inner courtyard, museum): 14:30 — performance of the Warsaw Free Orchestra 15:00 — OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SPACE opening of the exhibition of the artist Igor Tiszyn "House of Decaying Walls. Between two moments" 16:00 — Belarusian party from the School of Belarusian Traditional Culture in Warsaw 16:30 — 17:30 artistic reading of the play "How are you?" (author Vitaly Karaban, director Andrey Novik, musical arrangement by Daria Novik, actors read "TEAM THEATRE") 19:00 concert of the band 23:34 19:30 acoustic concert by Uladzimir Pugach (J:MORS) 20:00 screening of films from the artistic project "Revolution" "Theatre space" (second courtyard, space "Shron"): from 16:00: reading of Kasia Chekatovskaya’s play "Gorgons" (directed by Evgenia Davidenko; read Evgenia Davidenko, Polina Dobrovolskaya; music by Stas Chakhovsky) fair of Belarusian masters activities for children and adults 18:00 Belarusian evening from the School of Belarusian Traditional Culture in Warsaw During the day, the following events will take place at various locations of the Free Belarus Museum: 11:00 — 14:30 master classes for children and adults (museum) 11:00 — 18:00 fair of Belarusian craftsmen (inner courtyard) 11:00 — 18:00 presentation and fair of Belarusian book novelties of the Kamunikat.org Foundation (museum) You can join the creation of the Free Belarus Museum — donate an object related to your personal history of participation in the Belarusian protest to its fund (we are working in the gallery building during the whole day) Detailed programme of events and participants here

Procedure for obtaining in Poland Polish authorities have started issuing humanitarian residence permits to Belarusians. The procedure of issuing humanitarian visas on the territory of Poland was also launched (previously it was possible to obtain them only abroad). Both documents are available to all Belarusians in need of humanitarian protection, including those who came to Poland before the war. We have compiled basic information on their validity and how to obtain them. Humanitarian visas: Application points and deadlines: From August 1 — in Warsaw. From September — in Bialystok, Lublin and Poznan. Who may apply: those who arrived from Ukraine after February 24 (were legally in Ukraine before that); already have humanitarian Polish visas and are in Poland; cannot return to Belarus because of threats of persecution Features of the document: validity period — 1 year; access to labor market; no fee for review of documents Humanitarian residence permits ("Pobytu cards"): Document Acceptance Start: July 9, 2022 Accepting documents: voivode of the place of residence; departments of foreigners' affairs (Mazowieckie, Małopolskie and Wielkopolskie voivodeships); civil and aliens affairs offices (all other voivodeships) It is worth noting that each voivodeship and voivodship has its own timetable and deadlines for processing documents Who may apply: those who are in Poland without documents; stayed in Poland on the basis of a humanitarian visa (D21); stays on the basis of a visa (valid or extended due to the epidemiological state); cannot return to Belarus due to threats of persecution Humanitarian residence permit. Features of the document: validity period — 3 years; access to labor market; no fee for review of documents and issuance of the residence card; from January 1, 2023: possibility to request Polish international travel document for departure to other countries (in case of expiry of passport and impossibility to obtain a new one); it is forbidden to go to Belarus. Violation of this requirement threatens refusal of entry into the EU in the future.

One of the brightest and most famous participants of the Belarus marches of 2020, Inna Zaitseva, a "bride of WRW", visited the team of the National Anti-Crisis Management with a valuable gift. Inna donated to the Museum of Free Belarus a white-red-white wedding dress, in which she took part in the protests, inspiring the Belarusians, and from behind which she was specially watched by the Belarusian security forces. As the owner of the product herself says, this dress is the second one she has bought specifically for the campaigns, to "make her voice louder. The first WRW dress was confiscated as material evidence when Inna was detained in Grodna, where she had come from Minsk to support the striking workers of Grodna Azot. Despite protocols, fines, detentions and arrests, the position of our heroine and hundreds of thousands of other Belarusian women, bravely demonstrated to the regime, is written in the general history of the Belarusian protest. The National Anti-Crisis Management expresses its sincere gratitude to Inna Zaitseva and thanks all those who donate items of museum significance and their digital copies to the Museum of Free Belarus Foundation. We would like to remind you that in connection with our acquisition of museum space, we are intensifying the collection of items related to the protest movement in Belarus in 2020 and up to the present day, as well as its long-standing prehistory. Your information and contacts sent via chatbot @NAUsupport will remain anonymous if you choose. Together, we'll keep our history alive.

Artsiom Praskalovich on deprivation of citizenship NAM lawyer gave a comment to "Malanka", in which he explained why the new scandalous initiative of the authorities is illegal. The main theses: even the Constitution, freshly adopted by and under Lukashenko, explicitly prohibits the forced deprivation of citizenship obtained by birth; deprivation of citizenship is possible only in the case of enlistment in the military or civil service in another country; the idea of deprivation of citizenship is no more legitimate than "trials in absentia" or execution for "attempted" terrorist attacks. From the legal point of view, these initiatives are nothing more than propaganda tricks; a ruling to deprive a Belarusan of citizenship abroad gives grounds to apply for refugee or stateless person status in the country of residence; all legislative initiatives adopted after 2020 require revision. The most inadequate ones require immediate repeal.

The National Anti-Crisis Management in March 2022 initiated a campaign to suspend foreign companies and service providers in Belarus and increase economic pressure on the Lukashenko regime https://youtu.be/j6Xfjj_APZI With the outbreak of war, the National Anti-Crisis Management started to inform Western companies about Lukashenko’s role as a co-aggressor against Ukraine — with the aim of suspending the activities of such companies in Belarus. The regime must not receive a cent for the war with the fraternal Ukrainian people. We have prepared and sent appeals to the companies which have stopped their business in Russia, but continue to work in our country, demanding that they suspend cooperation with the Lukashenko regime. 149 Western companies have suspended their operations in Belarus because of the regime’s co-aggression. The NAM team is engaged in multilateral diplomatic work and is conducting a large-scale information campaign to ensure that the Belarusian regime is subject to the toughest possible sanctions, like those imposed on Russia. Our goal is to eliminate the "Belarusian offshore" and deprive the Putin and Lukashenko regimes of the resources to continue the war and occupation of Belarus. We continue to urge the leadership of companies which have already given up their presence on the Russian market and ceased funding the Putin regime — to take a similar action against the Belarusian market and stop funding the Lukashenko regime. If you are a representative of an organization or institution of the Belarusian democratic forces, or if your activities relate to opposition to the Lukashenko and Putin regimes and their military aggression against Ukraine, you are welcome to join our campaign and use a sample of our letter. Contact companies Articles on this topic Lukashenko must ensure the transit of Ukrainian grain Economic sanctions against aggressors Belarusians under sanctions or Ukrainians under bombs. Who is worse off? 149 Western companies have suspended their activities in Belarus because of the regime’s complicity in aggression Is Lukashenka a stealth military aggressor? Time for the West to Wake up to Lukashenko UK Foreign Office responds to the NAM appeal "Not a cent for the war!" You can’t introduce business in aggressor countries Call on foreign companies to stop funding the war Meeting with MEP Radoslaw Sikorsky 70% of Belarusian export to the EU is under sanctions Resistance of Belarusians and EU sanctions against the Lukashenka regime will lead to the retiring of the dictator and the beginning of a new era in Belarus End of foreign investments Lukashenka is an aggressor and earns on the war Meetings with diplomats and EU deputies Bosch interrupts deliveries of its products to Belarus Political negligence of the West Not a cent for the war with Ukraine!

Roundtable "Universal Jurisdiction Mechanisms. Common Approaches and Peculiarities of Application in the Republic of Poland" "When are we going to get any justice and bring to account at least one collaborator of the regime who abused people in prisons, using torture and physical violence? Is it possible in principle — as long as a dictator remains in power?" This is the question that asks almost every Belarusian, who has not been able to "turn the page" and forget the terrible events of 2020. Our team continues to explore all possibilities to prosecute Lukashenko’s minions today, using the universal jurisdiction as a tool. The task facing the team is a very difficult one, as we are practically setting a precedent by trying to take each case to the point of declaring criminals internationally wanted. Angelika Melnikova, Project Manager: "We realize that before the change of power in Belarus, a trial is impossible. But the minimum we can do today is to put the names of criminals on Interpol lists, so that they won’t be able to move freely now and, in due course, hide from justice". Given the complexity of promoting the application of the principle of universal jurisdiction, the NAM team held a roundtable in Warsaw, which was also attended by Polish lawyers — experts in international criminal law, as well as the lawyer of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Office, Kristina Rikhter. During the event the participants exchanged their experience and knowledge about the application of the principle in the EU countries, the possibilities of forcing such cases in Poland and attracting public attention to the issue. Artsiom Praskalovich, Council for internal policy and public administration: "Today we are entering an active phase of action, which we hope will make it possible to advance as far as possible the practical application of the institutions of universal jurisdiction and declare the perpetrators of violence on the territory of Belarus internationally wanted". We would like to remind that we are looking for victims who wish to use the opportunity to bring perpetrators to justice using the mechanisms of universal jurisdiction. We will continue our efforts to ensure that the henchmen of the regime who committed crimes against the Belarusian people are held accountable.

The NAM team took part in a discussion initiated by the International Committee against Torture on the platform of the Belarusian Youth Hub in Warsaw. The discussion with the documenter and the victim took place as part of the Week against Torture. Telling the story can be very difficult for a victim — a person goes through the traumatic experience ones again. Is it worth overcoming oneself and talking about one’s experience in public? Of course, it depends on the wish, inner state and personal circumstances of the victim. However, drawing attention to the problem is essential. Angelika Melnikova, NAM Project Coordinator: "Collecting evidence and documenting it is a very important job that human rights defenders do with care and responsibility. This is what will become the evidence base for future fair trials. However, we are convinced that the democratic society and human rights organizations should not just talk about the problem today but raise the alarm — as it was in 2020, because torture and mockery of political prisoners do not stop in Belarus to this day. Frankly speaking, so far not a single victim’s statement has been taken up in a way that would bring tangible results and the perpetrator would be punished. Let’s be honest, it is impossible to fully prosecute those who have used torture or given criminal orders as long as the regime remains in power. However, we can and must try to see how the mechanism of universal jurisdiction works in the countries which signed the Convention against Torture. Working in this direction will give us a chance to at least put criminals on the international wanted list and make them feel the inevitability of punishment". During the Week against Torture our team organized a round table, which together with Polish lawyers discussed specific steps to speed up the processing of complaints of Belarusians in Poland. In addition, lawyers from the NAM team took part as experts in a special stream on Malanka Media. This week we also worked directly with victims, lawyers and investigators based in Lithuania, Switzerland, Norway, and the UK. The NAM project "Mechanisms of Universal Jurisdiction against the Lukashenko regime" is a real chance to put the principles of international law into practice and get results today. We remind you that we are looking for victims who want to use the opportunity to bring criminals to justice using the mechanisms of universal jurisdiction. It’s time to act!

Address by Pavel Latushka at the Kalinowski Conference in the European Parliament Брусэль, 21 чэрвеня 2022 года Brussels, 21 June 2022 Dear Madam Chairman, Dear MEPs, colleagues, Evil must not have spheres of influence. And no country in the world must be a sphere of evil’s influence. These days, a decision will be taken on whether to grant European Union candidate status to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. All three countries, to varying degrees, were previously mistakenly considered to be Russia’s sphere of influence. And all of them are victims of its aggressive neo-imperial policy. They have all paid too much for this erroneous judgment of the civilized world. Right now an unimaginable price is being paid again by Ukraine. But independent, freedom-loving peoples and countries cannot and must not be considered a sphere of influence of the absolute evil called the "Russian world". And right now Europe has a historic chance to prove it. To demonstrate in practice that all countries striving to break out of the "Russian world" will get all the support they need from the civilized world. Today, I want to remind you that in Europe there is another one country that is striving for the same. This country is Belarus. And here is our message to United Europe: WE ARE NOT THE "RUSSIAN WORLD" OR RUSSIA’S SPHERE OF INFLUENCE. We are European people under Russian occupation and the dictatorship of Putin’s puppet Lukashenko. And this is also the result of our common mistakes, which we must work on. And make our valuable and principled choice — both for you and for us, Belarusians. The choice which the war has put us before: between good and evil. Without half-tones. And we, the people of Belarus, choose the good. All the latest polls also show this: Most Belarusians are against the war. Most Belarusians are for the European choice, not for the "Russian world". This means that we have realized our misconceptions when we thought we could not escape from Russia because of our geopolitical position. We have realized that it is not the proximity to Russia that should define our civilizational choice. It is not what determines our values, it is not what determines our vision of the future of Belarus — as an independent, free, democratic and developed state. But unfortunately, it is the geographic proximity to Russia that poses a threat to the future of Belarus. And this threat becomes even stronger, the stronger is the conviction of the rest of the world that Belarus is a sphere of Russian influence. There is a well-known expression: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing". And there is nothing more damaging to the inactivity of good people than the delusion that something is beyond their sphere of influence. Today, with the terrible war in Ukraine, we all see the consequences. Namely the occupation of one European country — Belarus, and the war against another — Ukraine. Back in 2020, when the Belarusians took to the streets en masse to protest against their stolen choice, Russia declared its readiness to provide military support to Lukashenko. In 2022, Russian troops entered Belarus — under the pretense of an exercise. And they did not leave its territory at the end of it. Instead, they invaded Ukraine on February, 24. Thus, with the consent and full support of Lukashenko — Putin’s puppet — the occupation of Belarus and its transformation into a war co-aggressor took place. By what right did Russia prepare to interfere in the internal affairs of Belarus in 2020? And by what right has it decided that Belarus can be used as a springboard for a war in 2022? By the same right it unleashed and is unleashing wars in every country it considers to be its sphere of influence with the tacit consent of the rest of the world. Then is the world ready to continue to accept this? Is the world ready to continue thinking that Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia or Moldova are Russia’s sphere of influence — and to let Russia think so itself? 3 out of the 4 countries listed have already declared that their choice is Europe and not Russia. They have made their civilisational choice. It is time for Belarus to make that choice too. What do we need for that? I am convinced that Belarus and Europe need to take three major steps towards each other. The first step for Belarus — represented by democratic forces — is the establishment of a transitional government, announced back on February, 24 by Svetlana Tihanovskaya. The transitional government must become a real alternative to the illegal, illegitimate and puppet government of Lukashenko and defend the European choice of Belarus in the international arena. Step two is to launch a national liberation movement to fight the Russian occupation and Lukashenko’s puppet regime and to liberate Belarus. Step three — to make the European choice as a free, independent, democratic state. But we need your support along this path. What steps are we waiting for from you? Step one is the complete isolation of Lukashenko’s illegitimate puppet regime in the international arena through the expulsion of all its representatives from international organizations. And inviting representatives of Belarusian democratic forces in their place. Step two is the legal recognition of Russian occupation of Belarus, the recognition of the transitional government and the national liberation movement of Belarus. Step three is support for the European choice of independent Belarus after its liberation from occupation and the holding of new democratic elections. We, Belarusians, came to this understanding back in 2020. And we are ready to move towards freedom and independence. Towards Free Europe. So take steps towards us! Let us take the road towards light, common security and prosperity together.