{"id":207096,"date":"2026-10-12T17:07:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/207096\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T17:07:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T14:07:31","slug":"lukasenka-handed-belarus-over-to-russia-to-stay-in-power-cichanouskaja-says","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/207096\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka handed Belarus over to Russia to stay in power, Cichano\u016dskaja says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 12, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>It was Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s conscious choice to hand Belarus over to Russia in exchange for its political backing, Belarus\u2019 pro-democracy leader Sviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja said at the Warsaw Security Forum on October 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recalling \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s refusal to admit her victory in the 2020 presidential election and step down, Cichano\u016dskaja accused him of \u201cpaying [Russian President Vladimir] Putin with Belarusian sovereignty for the Russian support that allowed him to stay in power.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja stressed that \u0141uka\u0161enka now \u201cbears full responsibility for all the crimes he has committed together with Putin\u201d and should not be portrayed as a \u201cvictim.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s decisions, \u201cthe whole country of nine million people has been taken hostage, and Belarusian sovereignty has been eroded,\u201d Cichano\u016dskaja said. \u201cMoreover, Belarus has been transformed into a Russian military launchpad and a tool for blackmailing NATO countries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja warned that Moscow and Minsk do not appear to be preparing to stop the war and are instead building military infrastructure, with Russia increasing its presence in Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja said that a fresh report by exiled Belarusian investigative group BelPol shows \u201chow significant Belarus\u2019 role is in the Russian war machine, and how deeply \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime is involved, despite his attempts to hide it and avoid responsibility.\u201d The report also indicates how limited Belarusian sovereignty is right now, and that Belarus is on the brink of losing its independence, she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja warned that \u0141uka\u0161enka is not a guarantor of Belarusian sovereignty and will not protect it, and that he poses the same threat as Putin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe deployment of Russian troops, military bases, training grounds, nuclear facilities and Oreshnik missiles, relay stations that help Russian drones kill Ukrainians, supplies of weapons, equipment, and diesel fuel to Russia, as well as hybrid operations against Europe \u2014 all of this is being done by \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime and Russia,\u201d Cichano\u016dskaja said. \u201cLet\u2019s not forget that Russia is now actively trying to recruit Belarusian citizens for the war and use them as cannon fodder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja urged the international community to maintain its sanctions to raise the costs of further militarization for Belarus and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She called for accountability for Putin and \u0141uka\u0161enka and for supporting Belarusian society, \u201cthe majority of which is against the war and supports Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja stressed that only a democratic Belarus without \u0141uka\u0161enka can be a \u201csafe neighbor\u201d and played up the importance of cooperation between Kyiv and Belarusian pro-democracy forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Warsaw Security Forum is one of Europe\u2019s highest-profile security conferences focused on transatlantic cooperation and joint responses to common challenges, with particular emphasis on Central and Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year, the forum brings together more than 1,500 representatives of governments, international organizations, industry, think tanks, and civil society from over 90 countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"