Opposition leader: any deals with Belarus’ regime give it time to commit crimes

December 15, BPN. Any deals with Alaksandr Łukašenka’s regime are “signed with the lives of thousands of innocent political prisoners,” said Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja in her statement on possible Ukrainian grain shipments via Belarus.

These deals could increase risks of military aggression and postpone normality for Belarus, Ukraine and Europe for years, she added.

Łukašenka would not be able to fulfill his obligations in a new deal as long as he allows the Kremlin to launch missiles at Ukraine from of Belarus, Cichanoŭskaja stressed.

Last week, Belarus told the UN that it would allow grain transit for export from Lithuanian ports without preconditions. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda dismissed Belarus’ offer as a trap.

Grain supplies were interrupted due to the blockade of Ukrainian ports by the Russian navy.

Different routes are considered for Ukrainian grain exports to assuage concerns of a hunger crisis in poorer countries.