Former EU envoy: Łukašenka losing grip on Belarus

May 11, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka is losing his grip on Belarus, EU diplomat Dirk Schuebel has told an online event.

The situation in Belarus is deteriorating, with an increase in the number of political prisoners and a downturn in their conditions, said Schuebel, the EU’s former envoy in Minsk. The country is being controlled by Moscow and its future is uncertain, he added.

The international community doesn’t want to restore any ties with Łukašenka, including trade links, he said. But he pointed out that Belarus was important for Eastern Partnership, the EU’s neighborhood initiative. The EU will be willing to support the country when change comes.

“We would like to start a strategic dialogue with the democratic forces and civil society,” he said (quotes rendered from Russian). “We have a very clear policy towards Belarus, based on putting the regime under pressure as well as on solidarity, commitment, and support.”

In December, the European Commission said it adopted a new €25-million assistance program for Belarus, bringing the total aid to the Belarusian people to more than €30 million in 2022. The EU provided more than €100 million to Belarusians since August 2020 in direct support to repression victims, civil society, independent media, youth, small businesses, healthcare, and culture.