Oleksiy Goncharenko: It's Necessary To Break All Relations With Lukashenka's Puppet Regime

The reason why Ukrainian MPs urged the Verkhovna Rada to recognise Belarus as "occupied by Russia".

The Ukrainian parliamentary association "For a Democratic Belarus" urged the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to recognise Belarus as "occupied by Russia. The initiative was proposed by MP Oleksiy Goncharenko.

The politician told Charter97.org why he adheres to this point of view:

- For it's true, Belarus is an occupied territory. As Confucius said, the most important task of the government is to give the right names. We should call things by their names, Belarus is occupied by the Russian Federation, Lukashenka's regime is a puppet regime. Hence, the whole line of behaviour is obvious, i.e. breaking off all relations with the puppet regime, separating it from, actually, the people of Belarus and pursuing the appropriate policy.

- There is also another bill in the Rada - to recognise Belarus as a coaggressor. Its initiators say that the recognition of Belarus as occupied will lead to the fact that Lukashenko's responsibility for the crimes will be blurred, and Putin will be blamed for everything. Is there such a danger?

- Nothing will be blurred, absolutely. Does the fact that Putin is a criminal not make Shoigu a criminal? What does one thing have to do with the other? On the contrary, it's a clear definition of who is who. As far as I'm concerned, our bill is more correct. By recognising Belarus as a co-aggressor, we stop separating Lukashenka and the people of Belarus. I think it's not right, they should be separated after all.

- Is there a chance that Ukraine will soon decide on the status of Lukashenka's regime?

- These resolutions have long been in the Rada. Both the first and the second one, but nothing is happening. I have no forecasts.