Andrei Sannikov: There Must Be One More Name In ICC Warrant

The world is already discussing the thesis claiming that it is necessary to get rid of Lukashenka in order to defeat Putin.

The bases of PMC Wagner set up in Belarus can be considered a legitimate military target of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This opinion was expressed by the leader of the European Belarus civil campaign, Andrei Sannikov, on air of the Ukrainian "News Factory" channel. The website Charter97.org quotes excerpts from the interview.

"Nuclear weapons, the presence of Prigozhin's criminal group on the territory of Belarus are very dangerous, we need to take preventive measures. I would like to emphasise that there are legal targets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the territory of Belarus.

The Wagner private military company is a criminal group, recognised as such by the leading countries of the world and Ukraine itself. We probably shouldn't wait for it to move to Ukraine, Poland or somewhere else."

The politician reminded that back in 2009, Belarus hosted the West-2009 exercises, the most large-scale manoeuvres after the collapse of the Soviet Union:

"Then they were training to carry out a nuclear strike on Warsaw, a tank breakthrough through the Suwałki Gap and cutting off the Baltic States from Europe. Therefore, those who are now sounding the alarm saying that we should not allow these scenarios to happen are right.

Andrei Sannikov emphasised in the interview that the Belarusian society is strongly against the war:

"All non-state Belarusian sources pursue anti-war policy. They persuade people to surrender, go to the side of Ukraine in case they are ordered to cross the border. The society is strongly against it.

In case of entering the war on Putin's order, which will be voiced by Lukashenka, we can expect a revolt in society and military units. Especially when they will be sent to the territory of Ukraine. Strange as it may seem, the territory of Ukraine is the territory of freedom even in times of war. There the people will be free to make their choice. I think that most of those military units that might receive such an order will be willing to change sides immediately.

As for strikes on Belarus, I repeat, I believe that there are already enough legitimate targets for such strikes. I guess that other Belarusians think the same way. These will be strikes not on Belarus, but on criminal groups and the Kremlin troops.

The European Belarus leader noted that the Belarusian military do not support the regime:

"Lukashenka simply didn't have and has no money for the brainwashing in the army. The army is not involved in politics. The army top brass is rather loyal to Putin. There are people there who are connected with Russian military commanders and the Kremlin. And the army consists of conscripts who dream only about early demobilisation. The fact that Prirozhin's instructors are teaching someone there - it's just for show and nonsense. Therefore, the Belarusian army is not prepared and will not be prepared to support the dictator with weapons in their hands.

Andrei Sannikov described how he sees the future of Belarus:

"I see the future of Belarus as undoubtedly free. Belarus has accumulated a very large potential for progress and reforms, which has not disappeared anywhere. Centralised dictatorship, which does not allow the society to develop, on the one hand, is terrible for the society, but on the other hand, it creates a foundation for a breakthrough: economic, technological, cultural, social.

I think that once this dictatorship disappears, society will be ready to build a completely new structure of the state, taking into account the experience of all our neighbours.

The most important thing in this will be freedom. When people are free, feel that they can finally manage themselves, it always leads to surprising, positive results."

The European Belarus leader is absolutely sure that it is necessary to start the victory over Russia by removing Lukashenka from power:

"After Belarus gets rid of dictatorship, it will be easier to talk to the Kremlin. Today, the regime holds on, in general, on Russian support, their money, but is actively searching for alternative sources of funding.

"I am sure that we need to hammer this regime out. Ukraine has achieved incredible results by issuing an arrest warrant for Putin in connection with the kidnapping of children.

The other day your representative at the UN said that Lukashenka was involved in kidnapping about 3,000 Ukrainian children. There should be one more name in this warrant - Lukashenka. Ukraine should play a serious role here, because there is all the evidence."

The opposition politician also spoke out about sanctions against Lukashenka's regime:

"Today, the lifting of sanctions against Lukashenka's regime is openly lobbied, which will not only allow the dictatorship to continue to exist and kill Belarusians, but will also complicate the situation in Ukraine. After all, Kyiv is still a desired goal for Putin. Without the territory of Belarus, which Lukashenka provides, it will be difficult for him to achieve this goal.

I am glad to see that the idea that it will be easier to get rid of the dictatorship in the Kremlin if we get rid of the dictatorship in Belarus, is already being discussed in the world".