VILNIUS (VG) Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaja believes that the President of Belarus is being pressured from several sides – and is urging his own countrymen to sabotage.
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– I am sure that Ukraine will win, says Svetlana Tikhanovskaja.
The Belarusian opposition leader meets VG and NTB after talks with Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, at his offices in Lithuania.
Under the suit jacket she has a T-shirt with a large picture of her husband, who is sentenced to 18 years in prison in Belarus.
Outside the offices, armed police are watching. After challenging “Europe’s last dictator” Alexander Lukashenko, who has very close ties to Russia, she has lived with a high level of threat in exile in Lithuania.
But now the situation may have changed.
– This is a dangerous situation for Lukashenko, she says.
Tikhanovskaya says a small flame has ignited in Belarus – which could explode at any time.
– Clings to power
“When the Kremlin is weakened, Lukashenko will be very vulnerable,” Tikhanovskaya said.
– Lukashenko believes Putin is strong. He is hiding behind him. But now he sees the Russian economy go under. It will get worse. When Belarus’s economy is so closely linked to Russia’s economy, it will also get worse in Belarus, says
According to Tikhanovskaya, the Belarussian defense also sees Lukashenko’s weaknesses.
– He does not work for Belarus’s interests, but clings to power with support from the Kremlin, she says.
Lukashenko have even said that Russia has not requested military assistance from Belarus and that he also has no plans to participate in the war. He has nevertheless opened up for Russian nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory.
–It has become even more important for the opposition to be tougher in Belarus and in international arenas.
– All countries must now say that Lukashenko does not represent Belarus. He sells Belarus to Russian troops. He is sending our country to military occupation of Russia, she says.
She says that few in Belarus, including ministers, know what is actually happening in the country now. Only Lukashenko and a few military advisers have access to information, she claims.
– We must now fight even harder against propaganda, the Russian propaganda, she says.
Resistance in Belarus
When Russia started the invasion of Ukraine, the calls came immediately from the Belarusians:
– People wanted to enlist in Ukraine. But we could not help them with that, so they went on their own. They’re there now. Some of them have been killed, Tikhanovskaya said.
She says they see private mobilization everywhere.
– How does the opposition in Belarus work now?
– Many want to act more actively. But it is almost impossible. We have lost many of the most active, they are imprisoned. That is why we have said to the people, “Do what you can do.” If you can sabotage the railway network so that Russian equipment does not arrive, do so, says Tikhanovskaya.
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RESISTANCE: Although many in the Belarusian opposition are imprisoned, they are doing what they can to sabotage the Russian forces in the country. 1 of 2Photo: Hallgeir Vagenes / VG
–Tikhanovskaya emphasizes that safety is paramount and that life and health always come first. Many have therefore taken pictures of Russian military equipment and sent the pictures to Ukraine, so they can follow military activity in Belarus.
– Belarusians film and provide information about missiles. There are information systems in place, she says.
Tikhanovskaya claims that civilians carry out small sabotages in various sectors because it is difficult to organize something into larger groups. This may, for example, be a case of deliberately delaying deliveries of Russian military equipment.
– We must understand that we live in a completely different situation. We will continue our fight, because Russia knows that most Belarusians do not support Putin. The hater got. They beg that our soldiers do not cross the border into Ukraine, she says.
According to Tikhanovskaya, many young people are fleeing Belarus for fear of being forced to enlist.
– But if our soldiers cross the borders, we will become Ukraine’s enemies. The enemies of our brothers in Ukraine.
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Under the suit jacket, Tikhanovskaya has a t-shirt with a large picture of her husband, who is imprisoned in Belarus. – The people are ready
“We understand that the fate of Belarus depends on the fate of Ukraine,” Tikhanovskaya said.
As long as Lukashenko does not send in Belarusian troops to take part in the war, Belarus’ position can still be discussed, she said.
– What does it take for Lukashenko to send troops to war?
– It depends on the pressure from the Kremlin. On the one hand he is pressured by the Kremlin, on the other hand he is pressured by the soldiers who do not want war.
– Is there a risk that he will participate in the war?
– He’s unpredictable. What is he most afraid of? Losing support from Russia. But he realizes that the economic situation in Russia is under pressure.
However, if Putin fails in Ukraine, she is not sure it will mean a fresh start for Belarus.
– Then we need a democratic mobilization. The people are ready to demonstrate and strike, but they must know that this will come to an end. That they achieve the ultimate goal.
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