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– If I asked you to describe the events in Belarus in a few sentences, would you use the word “revolution”?
– I could not call it a revolution, but of course it is an unprecedented revolutionary rebirth of the nation, which neither Belarusians nor neighbors have seen in the entire history of Belarus.
– Do you find any similarities to color revolutions?
– No no, I mean the mentality of the people, the revolutionary subconscious of the people, but I don’t really make comparisons with the orange, yellow or any other revolutions. Of course, there were some internal reasons for the color revolutions, but they are all characterized by the conspiracy of the “western order”. The events in Belarus are different from them, and especially from Ukraine, in that there is no foreign policy and no geopolitical dimension. Revolutionary dissatisfaction and the desire to defend honor and dignity without any geopolitical aim, as there is no debate on whether Belarus wants to join the EU or Belarus wants to join Russia, neither Alexander Lukashenko said during the elections nor all the other candidates. about domestic politics, economics. People are now being driven to the streets mainly out of dissatisfaction with the violence in response to the first demonstrations in Belarus.
– Could you explain the cowardice of the large western states and the reckless courage of the small ones, including Lithuania, in solidarity with the Belarusian protesters?
– I would not call it cowardice or bravery, but we Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, are neighbors, bordering directly with Belarus and more – Lithuania, Poland and Belarus have a common historical heritage and those human ties that have always been particularly close, so So, of course, we have a natural interest and a desire that human rights and freedoms are respected in Belarus, that the country is democratic. Clearly, there are always “steam locomotives” within the EU and NATO that have to take the initiative to draw the attention of other countries to the situation.
On the other hand, I have always believed that the interests of our state with regard to Belarus must be comprehensively evaluated; In addition to values and democracy, there are strategic military and economic interests. These three levels should already define the position of our state.
It is true that neither the West nor Lithuania had a coherent strategy towards Belarus: what kind of relations would we want with Belarus now and in the future, or do we think it will ever become a member of the EU. For 26 years, the West has not taken a clear position, it has been more reactive: post-election sanctions have been imposed to deal with protesters, then relations have been thawed and cooperation sought (as we have seen in recent years in the context of relations between Belarus and the United States in Minsk. Pompeii) and Russia has clearly defined interests.
First of all, she is interested in a deeper integration between Belarus and Russia, which is not hidden and says President Putin publicly. The second very important thing, Russia does not want to see another anti-Russian Slavic republic, which has become Ukraine after the annexation of Crimea. Moscow has political, military and economic influence over Belarus, but is forced to follow a sensitive thin line: on the one hand, communicating with the de facto leader Lukashenko remains, on the other, not excluding several hundred thousand Belarusian citizens who they express their dissatisfaction and do not recognize Lukashenko. The meeting of Putin and Lukashenko in Sochi a few days ago, in my opinion, will affect not only the development of bilateral relations, but also the development of internal politics in Belarus.
– So you have a broadcasting idea about Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius’ diplomacy: if he had the goal of uniting Belarus and Russia, did he succeed?
– (Laughter.) I don’t think Linkevičius is powerful enough to do it. When the foreign minister of the neighboring state called Lukashenko a “former president”, the latter was most likely offended and upset.
You will not unite other countries with famous statements, especially since Lukashenko is not an easy and comfortable partner.
– While working in the business sector, perhaps you take a different look at A. Lukashenko’s threats to terminate the contracts with the Klaipeda port and the Lithuanian railways?
– Our group of companies (Avia Solutions Group) has no direct business interests neither in Belarus nor in the port of Klaipeda, so I see the threats more through the eyes of an analyst. Lithuanian port and railways 10 million. The Belarusian consumer market, like the whole of Lithuania, is very important and I hope we will maintain it. In any crisis, wise policies do not burn all bridges and maintain the possibility of communication.
For example, the information provided by the Belarusian Defense Attaché of the Ministry of National Defense on the NATO exercise taking place on the territory of Lithuania was a gesture of wise diplomacy. Even in such difficult times, it is important to stay in contact with your neighbors to avoid unexpected crossings or events. I would like Lithuanian officials responsible for the economy and transport to maintain contacts in Belarus with those on whom one or another decision depends, regardless of developments. It is not necessarily the members of the Government who have to do this, but there are also business associations, industrial associations and others that respond to business interests and absorb tensions in difficult political conditions. I hope that the heads of state will fully assess and take into account the national interests of Lithuania when making decisions regarding the neighboring country.
Minister Linas Linkevičius demands the punishment of Aliaksandr Lukashenko
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, which focused on the EU’s response to the events in Belarus.
L. Linkevičius, who constantly talks about sanctions, would like Belarus to split on them too.
“It is important that the voice of the EU is heard, but it is time for concrete action to be taken. The EU must immediately impose sanctions on individuals and officials who have used violence and committed potential crimes against their people,” Linkevičius said. . According to him, the scope and the list of sanctions should reflect the scale of the crimes committed.
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