The Eastern European country of Belarus has been hit by strikes and protests.
That follows last week’s presidential election that opposition and international observers say was rigged, and then the subsequent crackdown by authorities.
A few countries see this all closer than neighboring Lithuania. And few public figures play a larger role than his Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius.
With the history of his country of liberation from the former Soviet Union, Linkevicius wondered about the extinction of people against what is seen as an oppressive government. “They deserve a better life,” he told Fox News via Zoom, “they deserve a normal democratic environment.”
He reflected on the embattled Belarusian president and dictator Alexander Lukashenko. “He should understand that something is changing,” Linkevicius said, “he should be met with anger, open anger, he should be shocked, this cannot be ignored.”
The foreign minister made headlines this week when he labeled all possible Russian military support for Belarus as an “invasion.”
He stands by that assertion.
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“Since it is being discussed in public, I can not say that it is not possible,” he said, “so we should at least take it into account, and also send a very clear message, that it is not tolerable to do so. to do.”
While Belarus is conducting its own military exercises at its borders, the Lithuanian Foreign Minister seemed to be taking some action in his NATO membership. “We really appreciate the presence [of] allied troops on our soil, partly Americans, ”he said. “Being a member of this’ club ‘, the strongest military alliance, feels much better than those who are not.’
Lithuania is currently taking refuge in Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who took the cloak of opposition leader from her captive husband. She was forced to leave Belarus after the elections that the government claims she has lost.
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Belarusian opposition leaders shout slogans during a protest rally in front of the government building at Independent Square in Minsk, Belarus, on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.
(AP)
“She has enormous courage, resolution and responsibility for her country,” Linkevicius remarked, “she really deserves to be respected.”
With European Union leaders meeting online on Wednesday to discuss what measures to take regarding Belarus, the Foreign Minister is seeking Washington for support, “We would now expect some decisions, sanctions, pressure, he said, “The US has always been a voice of democracy and freedom.”
When asked why Americans, who are dealing with so many problems right now, have to deal with the fate of Belarus themselves, his answer was simple and straightforward: “We are talking about universal values … they are becoming challenged by dictatorship “
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We close our virtual conversation with Foreign Minister Linkevicius by asking him if he was hopeful about the situation in Belarus. “Most of the time I’m hopeful,” he replied with a smile, “… that’s one of my shortcomings.”
Many people in Belarus and hope he is right.
