Uladzimir Kiyko: Let's Say Our Loud "Basta!" To Russian Military

Belarusians must show extraordinary unity and solidarity.

Uladzimir Kiyko, a representative of the Belarusian National Congress in Vitsebsk, said that to the site of the BNC. The politician answered questions concerning the beginning of the West-2017 exercises.

- According to official information, the exercises will be held at two training grounds in Vitsebsk region and in the area near Dretun. Is the presence of Russian military noticeable in Vitsebsk?

- Military tent trucks often travel around the city. Users in social networks constantly post photos of people in military uniforms and without identification marks. As we remember, the occupation of the Crimea started in a similar way. There are still two weeks before the exercises, and every day this activity increases.

- Vitsebsk region borders on Russia. A lot of people go to the neighboring country to work. How do city residents react to the presence of the Russian military?

- The majority of the population are concerned about their financial problems. People think about how to survive for 250 rubles, which they "generously" get from our power as a salary. And there is also a small part of the population that supports not only the exercises, but also the idea that Belarus should join Russia. It is interesting that not all of them are Lukashenka’s supporters. Everyone is tired of the current regime and some see the eastern neighbor as their "savior."

Others understand that after the end of the exercises, the Russian military or a part of them may stay on our territory on a regular basis. Russian politicians have been discussing the issue of creating a military base in Belarus for a long time. If required, one can create an excuse for doing it artificially. And if such a base is created in the Vitsebsk region, then it will become a very strong factor of tension in our region.

- How can we resist these plans?

- We must show extraordinary unity and solidarity. Through active resistance and pressure on the Belarusian and Russian authorities, one can get them to reckon with our opinion. And if they see in Moscow that we are not idle and that no one is waiting for Putin here, then he will lose the desire to show aggression against our country.

I believe that everyone who cares about the fate of the country and who wants to live in an independent and free country must take part in the prevention rally in Minsk, come to the square on September 8 and say our loud "Basta!" to the Russian military.

We remind that the Russian-Belarusian exercises West-2017 will begin in Belarus in September. A record number of rail cars - more than 4 thousand, - have been used to redeploy the Russian contingent. Many politicians and military experts believe that Russian troops might stay in Belarus after the exercises.

On September 8, the prevention rally demanding the cancelation of the West-2017 exercises starts at 7 pm, Kastrychnitskaya Square, Minsk.