PolskieRadio24.pl: The Russian-Belarusian military exercises are not over at all - such a message was presented over the weekend by the Belarusian officials and militaries. The presence of Russian troops in Belarus raises a number of concerns. They pose a threat to Ukraine, to the sovereignty of Belarus, and to the NATO flank.
Andrey Sannikau, Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus, a Belarusian democracy activist and dissident, head of the “European Belarus” democratic movement, former political prisoner: The situation has changed. From now on, we should not speak of any drills on the territory of Belarus. These are preparations for the military aggression against Ukraine, with the help of the illegitimate regime of Lukashenka. Putin and Lukashenka are using the territory of Belarus for this purpose.
It has nothing to do with drills. It is not the continuation or extension of exercises.
You are right. We should not only cite “propaganda” but also explain, what it really means.
It is clearly a military build-up. Furthermore, it poses a threat not only against Ukraine but also against European and international security. We have to be clear about that.
But at the same time, we have to be clear that it is illegal to use the territory of Belarus as Lukashenka is not a legitimate ruler. He has not been elected as a president. We can speak of the occupational regime of Lukashenka, which is backed by the Kremlin. And it is a very dangerous situation.
If we cheat ourselves, if we repeat the statements of the regimes, that these are all defensive, not offensive drills, then we will not clearly see the dangers that are here with us. And these are the most serious dangers since World War II.
And when you follow the language of the liars, you are supporting the liars.
This is very important message. Putin and Lukashenka try to keep their plans secret. Meanwhile, Allied Resolve, a military exercise of this scale, a few months after the Zapad exercise, appears to be a suspicious and aggressive move.
All Zapad exercises have been preparation for this kind of operation we witness today. We remember the scenario of the nuclear strike on Warsaw during 2009 Zapad exercises.
All these major exercises on the territory of Belarus, involving Russian troops, were clearly a preparation for aggression.
Experts note that Russia has been building its army over the past 20 years. It was not without purpose.
Of course.
The question is whether and when Russian troops can be withdrawn from Belarus. What do you think about it?
“European Belarus” that I represent has already made a statement that troops must leave Belarus immediately because they are stationed there illegally.
The international community, the world leaders, must demand the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Belarus. We are in a difficult situation, but we are still an independent state that has no intention to threaten our neighbors. This is not Belarus that is threatening our neighbors, it is Lukashenka.
And when we are talking about de-escalation, one of the major steps in de-escalation would be the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Belarus.
Andrej Sannikau
***
***
Ed. Agnieszka Marcela Kamńska, PolskieRadio24.pl
