“We understand that the Ukrainian authorities would not want to provoke Lukashenka. But the idea that this will stop him is wrong. In early 2022 he made promises to Ukraine of no invasion. We know how it ended up.
Lukashenka never keeps his word and will do what Russia tells him to do. He is in this situation for a reason. He is no hostage and no victim – he chose integration with Russia back in the 90s when he started signing the documents on the Union State. His policy has led to the war against Ukraine and put the independence of Belarus at risk. His complicity in the war allowed for genocide in Bucha, Irpin, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions.
That is why concessions in the heat of the war only give him a sense of impunity. They convince him that he can continue repressions, kill people and allow attacks on Ukraine from Belarus’ territory. And the priority of the civilized world is to avoid impunity. The perpetrators must be held accountable – and achieving this is our common objective.
The Belarusians whose interests really must be considered are Belarusian activists, fighters, and volunteers helping Ukraine and fighting against Russia. As well as the people who became political prisoners because they protested against the war in Ukraine and the dictatorship. But it's definitely not Lukashenka, who provides the territory of Belarus to Russian soldiers and missiles”.
