'Classic KGB Provocation Against Entire Belarus'

Yuri Felshtinsky believes that Russia is preparing a nuclear strike against Lithuania and Poland from our country.

Historian Yuri Felshtinsky opined in an interview to Lampa TV channel that Putin is preparing a provocation against Belarus.

- A year ago, when Lukashenka withdrew Belarus from the nuclear-weapon-free status, it wasn't very clear why he did it. How does the nuclear weapons availability improve Lukashenka and Belarus' situation? The main indication that this is an operation which Putin has been planning for quite a long time is the absence of any attempt to annex Belarus, including after February 24, 2022, not even an attempt to discuss it. It is despite the insanity of Russian politicians and propagandists.

The only reason it hasn't been done is to leave Belarus as an independent state to deliver a nuclear strike on Europe from Belarus. It ensures retaliatory strike on the territory of Belarus, not Russia.

The military point of view has no reason to bring nuclear weapons closer to the borders of Eastern Europe by moving them to Belarus. All military tasks can also be fulfilled from the territory of Russia. If one had to blackmail or threaten Europe, one could move the weapons to Kaliningrad Oblast.

The things Putin does are an provocation. It's a classic KGB provocation against the entire Belarus. Since Putin does not care about Ukrainians and Belarusians, and even about Russians, we should expect it.

He realises that he cannot win the war in Ukraine with conventional weapons. He has two options to follow: retreat, admit defeat and a mistake, which Putin is unlikely to do, or escalate the level of aggression. Therefore, the transfer of nuclear weapons to Belarus is the next stage of escalation in this war.

The historian believes that the West will provide further assistance to Ukraine, because it lies within its strategic interests. Ukraine is now deterring aggression and is a buffer that protects Europe from Russian aggression.

Felshtinsky sees Russia's defeat as follows:

- First of all, through the tearing Belarus away from Russia. Through the return of all the occupied territories to Ukraine, and after that, it seems to me, it will be possible to expect a regime change in Russia. If the nuclear war begins and if this war takes the form of an open confrontation between NATO and Russia, then the defeat of Russia will be military.

The historian believes that if Russia loses the war, it will be ready for democratization.

- There is the example of Germany. I think this is the path that Russia will inevitably follow. It will become a normal democratic country. It will change a couple of generations. Belarus is ready for democracy even tomorrow. It proved that in 2020 when people came out to protest.