Lukashenko’s opponents are alarmed by the prospect of his meeting with Trump’s representative
On Thursday, Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting on preparations for the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the Eurasian Economic Forum. Both events will be held next week in Minsk. Meanwhile, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s office announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Socio-Economic Committee, demonstrating that the Republic of Belarus should integrate with the West, not with the East. At the same time, the opposition is alarmed by information about a possible visit to Belarus by Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg. Lukashenko’s opponents fear that this may be a sign of recognition of the legitimacy of the current government.
The President of Belarus called a meeting on Thursday to explain to officials how they should greet the guests of two major events at once – the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council and the Eurasian Economic Forum. Both will take place next week, so Lukashenko once again warned: “Everything must be prepared with a quality mark both in organizational and, above all, in terms of content. It is necessary to ensure the maximum level of Belarusian hospitality (we also know how to do this), create comfortable working and living conditions for our guests. Special attention is paid to the content of all events, from the forum to the work of the Supreme Council.”
If the president is calm about the hospitality, then there is no such certainty about the substantive part. Lukashenko warned: “The agenda of the Supreme Council should be rich and substantive, corresponding to our national interests. The Eurasian Economic Commission has contributed as many as 700 sheets – four kilograms of materials. At the same time, almost all of them offer to accept without discussion. If they are so ready and coordinated, they correspond to our interests, as well as other states, for God’s sake. If everything is so good there. If this is an empty breed, without a gram of added value for the union, then such issues should not be on the agenda.”
“I would like to note once again that Belarus has been and remains a staunch supporter of deepening Eurasian integration and building an efficient common economic space based on trust and mutual understanding,” the President stressed.
But the opposition is just as clearly striving for Europe. Just the day before, the press service of Tikhanovskaya’s office reported: “A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the European Socio-Economic Committee and the Democratic Forces of Belarus at the EESC plenary session in Brussels.”
Tikhanovskaya herself commented on this event: “This promise of cooperation and solidarity is a message to all Belarusians.: You are not alone, you are part of Europe. This is a preparation for the European future of our country. We should not wait for the regime to collapse. Together with the EESC, we are already starting work on the transition period and legislation.”
The European Socio-Economic Committee (EESC) is an advisory body of the European Union. It includes representatives of civil society, employers, trade unionists, and representatives of professional associations.
It is not entirely clear what the significance of signing the memorandum is from a practical point of view. But the leader of the opposition does not believe that the immediate result in her work is so important. “Five years ago, we chose Europe, and for this choice, many ended up behind bars or were forced to leave their homeland. But we remain true to this choice, because our struggle is not for power, but for people. Yes, change doesn’t come overnight. But every step counts. And today we have taken a very important step,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, at the current stage, the opposition is seriously alarmed by the information that has appeared in the world media about the possible visit of the US President’s special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, to Minsk.
Belarusian opposition resources, citing unnamed sources, even claim that a meeting between Trump’s envoy and Lukashenko could take place as early as Friday. In this regard, hopes are expressed that the release of a group of convicted opponents of the current government will take place in honor of this event.
But the opposition leaders see the situation in their own way. For example, the recently released well-known activist Polina Sharendo-Panasyuk spoke very sharply about Kellogg’s alleged visit: “My attitude towards this visit is extremely negative. Does it turn out that Lukashenko is doing well? I’ve been collecting hostages for a quarter of a century, and finally a merchant has been found who is ready to bargain.”
Pavel Latushko, deputy head of the Joint Transitional Cabinet, is a former diplomat, so he is not so categorical. But he doesn’t like the proposed meeting in Minsk either. He stated on one of the opposition Internet resources: “The release of political prisoners is not a “gesture of goodwill.” This is the responsibility of a regime that has unlawfully imprisoned thousands of people. Their arrests and sentences are crimes.”
But that’s not even what he’s worried about. Latushko stressed: “Any contacts between representatives of democratic countries and Lukashenka cannot and should not mean recognition of his legitimacy.”
A special statement from the Latushko–People’s Anti-Crisis Management organization states: “The democratic forces of Belarus have foreign policy legitimacy and a recognized representative role in representing the interests of the democratically minded part of society. We have a subjectivity that we will not give up.”