Kyiv shuns Belarusian opposition over lack of antiwar action, influence – Ukrainian advisor

February 13, BPN. Ukraine does not see any point in building relations with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja over a lack of “distinctive antiwar activities,” Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, told Delfi.

Such activities could include large-scale rallies in front of Belarusian embassies abroad, if not in Belarus, he noted.

He sees no point in a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Cichanoŭskaja, noting that the Ukrainian president is busy shaping the global agenda but cannot define local or regional agendas.

Such a meeting could be possible if the opposition determines who among them can really influence the Belarusian public, he noted.

At the same time, Alaksandr Łukašenka has an understanding of how this war develops and sees that a more active role in it is very dangerous for him, Podolyak added.

In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Łukašenka admitted that Belarus participated in Russia’s war on Ukraine, but said it was “not killing anyone.”

Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.