Laurinavičius considers the plan to seek dialogue with Lukashenko as futile

In recent decades, Lithuanian leaders have tried to lead neighboring dictator Lukashenko down the path of democracy, both with polite and angry words and even with bubbles. Only the smiles this time seemed to fade for a long time. Outgoing President Dalia Grybauskaitė addressed the President on Twitter without saying:

“A dictator with bloody hands, go now. He has chosen his own destiny, he has no future in Belarus.”

Gitanas Nausėda also agreed to warm up relations with Minsk at the beginning of her term. He is still trying to take on the role of peacemaker, but he does not speak so boldly of bloody hands, he offers the dictator a three-point plan: stop the violence, free the political prisoners and create a national council of the Belarusian regime and opposition. Nausėda told about the plan developed with the Latvians and Poles the night before, only the question: Did Lukashenko listen?

“So far, we do not see any movement or intention in any of these points,” said Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius.

That there are no intentions is clear from the images on the streets of Belarus. However, both the minister and the presidency explain that Lukashenko has received the message of the plan.

“Through diplomatic channels,” said Asta Skaisgirytė, an adviser to the president.

“He is known to everyone, including the Belarusian national team. They also monitor the situation, even if there are no direct contacts with the government, it does not mean that they do not know,” said L. Linkevičius.

How long will Lithuania wait for an answer?

“Of course, reactions are needed as soon as possible, especially when it comes to de-escalation to stop hitting people on the streets,” said A. Skaisgirytė.

The sediment plan has the support of non-governmental organizations. The president invited public figures from various countries that support Belarus to the Daukantas Palace. According to some, Belarusian civil society has already rebelled, there is no turning back, so it now needs the widest possible support from the West.

“They are no longer the people they were on Saturday. Men and women who have taken to the streets for dignity, freedom and justice can no longer be forced to change their minds, no matter how many tear gas or rubber bullets are fired at them, ”said public figure Ognjen Radonjic.

“It just came to our notice then. The response of the Belarusian authorities is up to them. I think they have to, but I’m not very optimistic about it. But we have to send a signal,” said political scientist Vytis Jurkonis.

It is true that some analysts describe as useless the plan of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Polish leaders to seek dialogue with the dictator.

“A plan to do nothing. It is obvious that all these three points are absolutely unacceptable for the current regime and there is no possibility of negotiating them with the regime ”, assured analyst Marius Laurinavičius.

According to the chief analyst of the Vilnius Institute of Political Analysis, if Lithuania wants to take active measures, it would be necessary to behave differently.

Try to drive. Just contact the Belarusian authorities and say that we are going to mediate to explain the situation. But not only the president can do it, the Minister of Foreign Affairs can do it, “said M. Laurinavičius.

Linkevičius says I’ll drive if necessary. But now everyone is waiting for a meeting of the European Union’s foreign ministers. They will try to negotiate common sanctions for the regime, not to allow some Belarusian officials to enter the community. Until now, Linkevičius is unaware that any state would firmly oppose him. Next week, the Seimas is planning an extraordinary session: passing a resolution and not recognizing Lukashenko as president of Belarus. This is proposed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. It is true that the president of the “peasants” does not like this action at all.

“I think we are going to surprise many countries by electing the Seimas, making statements, adopting resolutions, because everything is clear to everyone: the elections are illegal, the government is undemocratic. The chosen path is to appear, meet, talk about something in front of the cameras. It is clear that this will not really work, ”said Ramūnas Karbauskis, president of the“ peasants ”.

Experts explain that Lithuania cannot close its eyes to such actions by the regime, not only because human rights have no borders. The Astrava problem is also important.

“If we want to solve even the Astravas problem, our objective must be to strengthen that civil society as much as possible, help it as much as possible and, if possible, contribute to its victory,” said M. Laurinavičius.

Estonian President arrives in Lithuania to speak about Belarus. And Lithuanian journalists express their support for their persecuted colleagues in Belarus. The independent media of the neighbors may publish articles and reports prepared by journalists from our country for free.

For more details, see the report at the beginning of the article.