Romuald Szeremietiew: Lukashenka Himself Fails to Understand What Threat His Policy Brings

Independence of the country requires free media.

Former Defence Minister of Poland, deputy of the Sejm of the 3d convocation, professor at National Defence Academy Romuald Szeremietiew stated that when commenting on the blocking of Charter97.org in Belarus:

- The fact that the authority blocks the only website with unbiased information proves one thing: the authority is weak.

The power proves its inability to use arguments to counter with ones it does not agree. It obviously proves the authority is weak.

- How could you describe the geopolitical situation set after the blocking of the largest anti-imperial and anti-Putin information resource in Belarus?

- Belarus may become a province of the Russian Federation. At least this is how the Russia's leadership presents the future of Belarus. Lukashenka's behavior proves it as well. On the one hand, he fears closer ties with the West and the need to reform the political system. He is afraid of losing power then.

On the other hand, Lukashenka does not want to be governor of a Russian province. But he does not stand out for sequence of actions. Therefore, he blocks the independent information resource, just in case, which shows a very deep and dangerous military-political union between Belarus and Russia.

No independent information can cause more Russification of Belarus, and the Belarusian people may face additional challenges in development of their national identity. Perhaps, Lukashenka fails to completely understand what threat his policy line brings towards independent and patriotic information.

The Kremlin now is quite a grave problem, and it's true not only for the closest neighbours. Putin makes increasingly clear that he is not going to take the path of Western states. The Kremlin believes that the Russia's position is too weak in the world and it would like to restore the status of "superpower", as it used to be in the Soviet era.

The entire foreign policy of the Kremlin raises great concern, especially it regards the enlargement of the armed forces. And Putin's recent threatening statements about Russia's unprecedented offensive means to attack other countries is something unbelievable.

Military plans of the Kremlin failed in Ukraine. Russian strategists thought the Ukrainian state would crumble, but it successfully resists Donbas. The situation is at that there: it's a Mexican standoff. If we put all things together - imperial plans of Russia and its failure in Ukraine - the situation looks rather concerning in our region.

- What would you like to say to the team and readers of "Charter97", and all those who fight for the democracy in Belarus?

- I'd like to recall that I belong to those who used to act in Poland the way you do in Belarus now.

We also started our fight in Poland and had no access to television, official press. Everything we managed to print was quickly destroyed by the authorities. And many people thought then: we have no chance. Just take a look at Poland now!

I was not only a prisoner in a communist prison, but also minister of defence, deputy of the Sejm, I am now research worker. There were those who believed our efforts were vain.

I think that the situation in Belarus is the same now. Your activity, your undertakings are of great importance in the country and are doomed to success, if you believe that you bring the truth. The truth must strengthen Belarus. If you want your country to be independent, democratic and join the family of free people of Europe, such as Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and others, then I wish you this dream came true. I can assure you: things you do will bear fruit. Stay focused.