Expert explains why West is turning its citizens against Belarus
In contrast to an unfriendly position of the border states, Belarus is demonstrating openness and transparency – as noted by political expert Aleksandr Shpakovsky in his talk with Alfa Radio, while commenting on the possibility of visa-free entry to Belarus for citizens of Lithuania and Latvia
“A decision to grant visa-free entry to Belarus for citizens of border states is primarily aimed at achieving a number of political goals. Firstly, this decision refers to an unfriendly and unneighbourly position of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. Unlike these states, Belarus demonstrates openness and transparency. Our country primarily distinguishes the ruling political regimes and the citizens of these countries. We understand that the authorities of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are now trying to make a negative bookmark for the future, so that it will be difficult for the society of Belarus and neighbouring states in the future to talk to each other, so that the fences that they are building on the border with our country will be also mental – referring to communication between people,” Mr. Shpakovsky noted.
The expert stressed that Belarus and its President, Aleksandr Lukashenko, do not share this approach, “We will react harshly to unfriendly decisions of the neighbouring countries’ ruling regimes. However, at the same time, our actions should not be directed against the citizens of these states, especially those who are interested in Belarus, maintain a friendly position towards it, who would like to visit us and are ready to conduct a dialogue with our country on various issues.”
Mr. Shpakovsky added that Lithuania, Latvia and Poland face fading statehood at present, “Their authorities are afraid of the outside world. Moreover, they are afraid of everything connected with the Slavs. These countries are trying to move along a confrontation course in relations with Belarus, they intimidate their citizens and know nothing of what is happening in our country. The fugitives who left Belarus speak about the political situation in a very biased and one-sided way, trying to present themselves as victims.”
“Those in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania believe that – if a Belarusian invites you for a cup of tea – then a recruitment proposal will follow. Every other Belarusian is viewed as ‘an employee of special services’, with the KGB and FSB are considered virtually as a single whole. They have a distorted picture of the world. Moreover, there is information that some of their citizens who return there from Belarus are subjected to certain pressure and brainwashing. Some are even routed to our country to perform certain ridiculous intelligence tasks, but Belarus is not afraid of this,” the expert stressed.
