The US May Put Pressure on Russia and the UAE to Stop Supporting Lukashenka

The former US Assistant Secretary of State expressed this opinion.

David Kramer, a researcher at Florida International University, Assistant Secretary of State in the administration of George W. Bush, suggested in an interview with Radio Svaboda that Washington D.C. could increase the sanctions pressure on Lukashenka's regime:

- We need to tighten the sanctions. They should address not only people who are part of the regime but also those who support the regime, including the Russians, who provide funding and support.

The EU has imposed sanctions against Gutseriyev. The US should do the same and extend these sanctions to other Russians and other organizations that provide such support. We should not hesitate to impose sanctions on certain Russians and Russian companies that support Lukashenka. I believe Lukashenka's days will be numbered without such support.

There is also support from the Gulf countries, the United Arab Emirates in particular. The Emirates are an ally of the United States. And I think that it is time to make the United Arab Emirates leadership understand: you can either be on Lukashenka's side or on good terms with the United States. It is time to make a choice.

Thus, putting pressure on the sources of financial support for Lukashenka is crucial. It is not easy to put pressure, which leads to the resignation of the head of state. However, we have to focus on this first of all. As long as Lukashenka remains in power, there is no hope that Belarus will move in a more democratic direction.