Zianon Pazniak: We Must Withdraw From All Unions With Russia

Medvedev's statement is an insult to all Belarusians.

One of the founders of the Belarusian Popular Front, the discoverer of Kurapaty and the chairman of the CCP of the Belarusian Popular Front, Zianon Pazniak does not see anything new in the ultimatum of the Russian government head, Dmitry Medvedev. At the request of Radio Svaboda, the politician, who is now in the United States, has commented on another crisis in Belarusian-Russian relations.

– This policy has long been conducted, since Putin rose to power. From time to time, when trade disputes arise, who owes whom, they make such statements from one side or the other. Obviously, Medvedev’s statement is offensive in its form and proposal. Therefore, it caused a rather flagrant reaction in Belarus. Naturally, it should be so.

And in fact, I do not see a new stage and a new turn. They have been preparing for a long time and from time to time they check what reaction they’ll get to their proposals. As soon as any need arises, and they feel that they can ship in troops with impunity, they will do it. Therefore, if it were not Lukashenka, but a normal government, normal leadership, it is necessary for Belarus to withdraw from all the union agreements, withdraw from the customs agreement, from the CSTO and switch to world prices. As it is inevitable in any case. And when the reforms start, and in this case, the reforms will be definitely held, then everything will be fine.

But here the point is clear. This is a man who is now clinging to power. If he still holds on, he may destroy Belarus. This is the greatest danger. I repeat, I do not think that this is a new stage on the part of Russia. This is the rhetoric that has been constantly on. Russia's policy is clear – they tighten the noose around the neck of Belarus at any opportunity. The matter is brought forward in a serious way. We should think about it, because if Lukashenka’s regime continues its policy, it will be harder and harder for Belarus to get out of it.