Speaker Of The Seimas Of The Republic Of Lithuania: Lukashenka Has No Authority To Make Political Decisions

The ‘illegitimate’ thinks more of himself than he really is.

What do Lithuanians think about Russia's tough talk, and what is Lukashenka's role in the Kremlin's plans? TSN.ua talked about this with the Speaker of the Seimas the Republic of Lithuania, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, who, by the way, is the European chess champion, a two-time winner of the Lithuanian Championship among men, having the seventh place in the world and the first among Lithuanian chess players.

- Let's start with the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises Union Resolve-2022, which will begin on Thursday, February 10. What provocations does Lithuania expect?

– Let me start by saying that the future Russian-Belarusian military exercises are a show of force and a possible further escalation to already existing tensions. The military exercise at a time when the international community is looking for politico-diplomatic means to de-escalate the situation is a sign that there are serious doubts about whether the Russian leadership’s claims that they are not going to attack neighbouring Ukraine are credible. Therefore, of course, provocations are possible, and Lithuania is watching. Just like we have done in recent years.

– The self-proclaimed President of Belarus Lukashenka threatened Lithuania to block the transit of exports to China. Why?

- This is an example of how Mr Lukashenka takes advantage and presents himself as having more levers of influence over neighbouring countries than he really is. The decrease in Lithuanian trade with China is due to other circumstances, and we believe that this is temporary.

– From time to time scandals exploded in Ukraine surrounding the purchase of electricity in Belarus. I know that Lithuania no longer buys electricity from Belarus. Is it true?

– Yes.

– But why does the so-called energy ring between Russia, Belarus and the Baltic countries still exist?

- It takes time to switch it off entirely. We managed to achieve diversification, let's say, in the case of our gas dependence, which I consider to be a huge success story for Lithuania. Our following strategic purpose is to synchronise our electrical networks with continental Europe. We hope to complete this synchronisation project in a few years. We are working for this and it is natural that the process takes some time.

– But Lithuania has been a member of the EU for 18 years. Why didn't Brussels help you break this Soviet dependence on Russia and Belarus?

– As I said previously, it takes time to implement a project of this magnitude, especially considering that it needs a lot of funding, as well as reaching a consensus among many parties involved. The EU is helping and striving for the full integration of the Baltic network with the rest of Europe. This is our common interest.

– Ukraine is seriously considering the scenario of possible Russian aggression from the territory of Belarus. Is Lithuania working on these risks together with the Baltic States?

- Of course, we are closely following the situation along the border. And, as I said, we remain vigilant and, of course, we are aware of any possible scenarios in Lithuania's geopolitical situation.

– Do you agree that Belarus has lost its independence and it is now a part of Russia?

– The growing influence of the Russian Federation on Belarus in recent years is clear for us. And it is particularly evident in the military, energy and economic spheres. But I would not go so far as to say that Belarus has lost its statehood. Not yet. And I think it's important to focus on two important aspects. Firstly, the illegitimate president (Lukashenka - ed.) does not have the authority to make political decisions and to determine the statehood of Belarus. If this happens, I am sure that the majority of the international community would not recognize this fact. Secondly, the creation of a union state in conditions of huge asymmetry and growing dependence every day is only an illusion.

– Are you talking about the union of Russia and Belarus?

– Yes, I mean the alliance with Russia. It will not be a union of two equal partners. It would be just the annexation of Belarus by the Russian Federation. Anschluss.

– Are the EU sanctions against the Lukashenka regime enough? We know that, for example, Poland has proposed tougher sanctions. Who in the EU opposed?

– EU sanctions against Belarus are still under development. Therefore, they are not ready yet. And, of course, it depends on Lukashenka's actions. That's why the EU will decide on additional measures when the need arises. And it is worth going back a little in time and recalling that the first packages of sanctions were associated with fake, in fact, fake elections; then with violence against peaceful demonstrators and political prisoners in Belarus by the Lukashenka regime; and, of course, flights between the two capitals were suspended (after the hijacking and forced landing of еру Ryanair passenger aircraft - ed.). And, finally, the fifth package of sanctions was a direct consequence of the application of illegal migration as an instrument. Therefore, in the case of Belarus, the EU countries showed solidarity and even the speed of applying new packages of sanctions in response to the new actions of the Lukashenka regime. But, as I said at the beginning, additional sanctions are still under development. Whether new packages of sanctions will be needed, how tough they will be, of course, depend on the actions of the Lukashenka regime.

– But are the current sanctions enough? What do you think?

- We still have to see if they have had the desired effect, if they have led to certain changes in the actions of the regime. When we talk about a hybrid (migration - ed.) attack on Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, we observe a certain pause in these actions. Therefore, you can assume that the sanctions had some effect. But they are still under development.

- Now Lithuania is trying to block exports from Belarus for its part. Can you say that is kind of your reaction? Is this your response to a kind of the EU weak hand?

– You are referring to the decision related to other sanctions, in particular, to the U.S. sanctions. Therefore, this is not connected with sanctions from the European Union. But, yes, we are champions of sanctions, especially when Lithuania was the main target of a hybrid attack because of illegal migrants. It started over half a year ago. Therefore, we actively advocate them (sanctions - ed.). Whether the sixth package of sanctions will be necessary, of course, depends on the further actions of the Lukashenka regime.

- Can we say that Putin was behind Lukashenka's actions to create the migration crisis?

Well, that's a pending issue. How can anyone dispute this.