“Of All Countries of Former USSR, Biden Can Influence Belarus the Most”

It's only a matter of time before our country becomes free.

Melinda Haring, deputy director of the Eurasia Center at the U.S. think tank Atlantic Council, explained to Radio Svaboda why Belarus would be on the list of foreign policy priorities of the new U.S. administration.

Haring was one of the authors of the Atlantic Council document "Biden and Belarus: Strategy for the New Administration".

- Have you received any reaction from President Biden's administration yet? The report was released last week. Perhaps you've already talked.

- We sent an early version of the report to people in high positions in the Biden administration. We received replies that they were reading the text. We don't have any additional reactions yet. We know that the document has been received at the highest levels and it is being studied.

I know that Belarus will be a priority, especially among the countries of the former Soviet Union. Although, it's a very vivid space right now. Many things happen in Russia as well. The Biden administration is watching them. It's also very interested in Ukraine.

But the Atlantic Council prepared the report and made Belarus a priority. We believe that the actions of the Biden administration may have the greatest impact on Belarus. Of all the countries of the former Soviet Union, Biden can have the greatest impact on Belarus if he acts proactively, talks about Belarus and increases the support budget. That's why we believe that Belarus should be a priority for this administration.

- Have you already discussed how the latest developments in Russia with the conviction of Alexei Navalny and the protests may affect the situation in Belarus? If you have considered Belarus in the context of the region.

- In details, no. I know some people analyze partial coincidences in the events. We know that people in Russia are chanting "Long Live Belarus!" and get inspired by the Belarusian protest. There have also been reports of white-red-white flags in Khabarovsk. People in Russia know what is happening in Belarus. The fact that people have been taking to the streets for six months is integral, at least in a symbolic sense.

- You have also recommended Mr Biden to appoint a high-ranking official to work specifically on Belarus. Have you received any response to the proposal yet?

- No. We are expecting the appointment of an assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. This position is of great significance Candidates for this position know Belarus and the broader region very well.

It also looks like Victoria Nuland will take position number three at the Department of State. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is number one. And Victoria is likely to be the third after the Secretary and his Deputy. The democracy issue in the region means much to her.

I don't know who will be in charge of this coordination. However, there is a good chance that the Biden administration will appoint someone with great experience and who can get good funding.

There are debates about who should get more money - Ukraine, Belarus, or, for example, Moldova. So far, rough estimates show that the fiscal year 2022 provides support for Belarusian civil society and media of about $30 million. It is nothing! Our estimates are as high as about $200 million.

Somebody has to steamroll the growth of funding from $30 million to $200 million in Congress and the Department of State. That person should say, "Here's the need, here's the opportunity," and fight for it. Thirty million dollars won't help.

- You also recommend Joe Biden's administration to impose sanctions on hundreds of Belarusian officials who violate human rights. The recommendations offer Biden to do it by executive order. Could you say who should be on the list? Who do you think should be first on the list? So-called "siloviki" from the police and special services, judges, or high officials from Lukashenka's administration, or businessmen close to him? What kind of people should be there?

- I would make security services a priority. We see that only about 350 people quit. There should experience more pressure.

I would include all categories, both judges and businessmen. But if we have to prioritize, it will be security services.

- Most of these people were probably not going to visit the United States, and the U.S. is unlikely to directly harm them. What instruments does the U.S. have to influence such people in the security services? Perhaps through the European Union, or some other means?

- Yes, we should develop it together with the European Union. It is more likely that such people would want to go to the Baltic states, for example, rather than to the United States.

There's no reason to prevent these sanctions from imposition. There are no obstacles to us negotiating it and working with the list.

- What would you say to those Belarusians who have been participating in the protests for six months now? Many of them have ended in prison. They are risking their health and lives.

- I would say that we are very inspired by your example. Don't stop. The world knows what you are doing. It's only a matter of time before Belarus becomes the country you want to see.