A potential military decision could expose deep tensions inside Belarus, as opposition leaders question how far Minsk will follow Moscow’s war strategy.
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she considers the participation of the Belarusian army in offensive operations against Ukraine unlikely. According to her, Alexander Lukashenko understands the sentiments of the military and Belarusian society.
As reported by the online media outlet Ukrinform.
Tsikhanouskaya made the statement in New York, where she is taking part in events held as part of the UN General Assembly.
I very much doubt that the Belarusian army, Belarusian soldiers, or Belarusians could take part in offensive operations, because there are no anti-Ukrainian sentiments among Belarusians.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
According to the opposition leader, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko have failed to convince Belarusians of the need to defend Russia or Belarus. She believes that Belarusians have no enemies other than the Russian occupation.
Tsikhanouskaya suggested that Lukashenko is afraid to order the military to take part in the war, as this could provoke discontent within the armed forces. At the same time, she said, the Belarusian elite understands Lukashenko’s dependence on Putin.
Lukashenko’s Support for Russia
In Tsikhanouskaya’s view, it is precisely his dependence on the Russian president that forces Lukashenko to continue supporting Putin and to be interested in Russia’s victory.
She also said that those close to the Belarusian leader are already discussing the period that will follow the end of his rule.