Russia’s nukes to strain Belarus’ independence, region’s security – Latvian MP

June 22, BPN. Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, deputy speaker of Latvia’s parliament, has called for keeping up pressure on the Belarusian regime, including tighter sanctions.

Alaksandr Łukašenka’s regime supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, continues to persecute Belarusian civil society and is behind hybrid attacks at the European Union’s borders, BNN quoted her as saying.

The deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus will have direct and dire consequences for the country’s independence and security in the region, she said.

Illegal arrests, torture and inhumane treatment, especially of political opponents, are regular and systematic in Belarus, Kalniņa-Lukaševica said. The chances of democracy being restored in Belarus are diminishing as Łukašenka stays longer in power, she noted.

Latvia was one of the first countries to offer refuge and assistance to Belarusians who fled their homes fearing politically-motivated persecution.

Prosperous, democratic and free Belarus is a common interest and Latvia must support Belarusian pro-democracy activists as best as it can, the politician stressed.