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Zbigniew Bujak: There is risk Lukashenka is just dummy in Putin’s hands

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Zbigniew Bujak: There is risk Lukashenka is just dummy in Putin’s hands

The leader of Polish underground trade union “Solidarity” does not rule out that the dictator is playing with Europe.

Zbigniew Bujak said so in an interview to charter97.org.

- The potential role of Lukashenka in Putin’s incursion into Ukraine is the main, key question. Are Belarus and Lukashenka himself really a defence from the Russian aggression? If he is such a defence, it is undoubtedly important. But there is a threat that Lukashenka is just a dummy in Putin’s hands, and what he is doing now is a kind of flirting with Europe. It is just an appearance, so the situation is very dangerous. At the key moment he could become an additional instrument of aggression against Ukraine. In Poland we know very well that a threat on two or three fronts is very difficult for overcoming and defending against.

A position of Belarusian democrats on this issue is extremely important for me. You know and feel this situation better than anyone, you understand better than anyone what Lukashenka is going to do and what position he is going to take up towards Putin. Your diagnosis should be taken into consideration, as it is highly possible that both European and Ukrainian analysts will make a serious mistake.

- What is your estimation of Poland’s policy towards Lukashenka’s regime? Is the economic situation of Poland so difficult that it makes you trade with Belarus?

- These are very difficult questions. In a sense, they are greatly connected to the forecast on what Lukashenka is going to do. I understand those Polish politicians and analysts who believe that the degree of Lukashenka’s independence from Moscow’s pressure is high. It should be taken into account, and a positive path should be shown, positive proposals should be offered primarily to Belarus, as Lukashenka is just a part of this puzzle, as its leader, as a dictator. If we open the second front here, and start putting up barriers, we would inevitably push Belarus into the hands of Putin.

What the final position of Lukashenka and the entire political elite of Belarus will be is to determine how the situation is going to evolve in the future. In case of great pressure, aggression, Putin’s offensive, it is highly possible that the entire elite would take the side of Russia’s president. But if Putin and his in-group will start to weaken, and his policy of aggression collapses, our open policy towards Belarus could yield results and certain liberalization.

- You often visit Kyiv. How do you evaluate the current situation in Ukraine?

- Every political situation should be a dynamic one. I always think about what could be done at the given moment, and not how to respond to the current situation. And I believe that today we are able to stop Moscow.

I use the word “Moscow” on purpose, as I agree with those analysts who believe that Putin is just a tool in the hands of the elite, which is pursuing the aggressive policy. One should not think that in case Putin steps down, anything will change. Someone else will come, there will be a certain period of confusion, but the policy will resume its natural course very soon.

That is why it is very important by use of arms to stop the Russian aggression in the East and South of Ukraine. If there is no necessary help now, Moscow establishment will make the next move. And then it would be way more difficult to stop this aggression.

Just a few months ago we could have prevented that very easily and cheaply. And now it’s not the case anymore. Now it is to cost dear, but still, not as expensive as in the future, when Moscow will make the next step in annexation of new territories. In this connection I and my associates recently addressed the president, Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Poland.

The major issue now is whether it is possible in the current situation, under current conditions of the Ukrainian state, weak administration, corruption, poor army control, to help Ukraine effectively. We believe that everything in power should be done to provide such an efficient assistance.

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