{"id":209425,"date":"2026-10-28T19:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T16:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/209425\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T19:02:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T16:02:29","slug":"eu-has-no-reason-to-go-easier-on-lukashenka-latuska-says","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/209425\/","title":{"rendered":"EU has no reason to go easier on Lukashenka, \u0141atu\u0161ka says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n
\n (Pozirk)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 28, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> There are no visible reasons for the EU to change its policy toward Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s regime, opposition politician Pavie\u0142 \u0141atu\u0161ka said on his Telegram channel, commenting on an open letter urging European countries to do more for the liberation of Belarusian political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141atu\u0161ka, deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet, expressed support for many of the \u201cassessments\u201d and \u201csteps\u201d proposed by the authors of the petition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, \u0141atu\u0161ka called for clarity about the root causes of the crisis in Belarus. Responsibility for the situation, he stressed, lies solely with \u201cdictator \u0141uka\u0161enka\u201d and not the European Union or the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141atu\u0161ka said that while aiming for the release of all political prisoners, pro-democracy forces are pursuing a broader goal of securing \u201csystemic change\u201d in Belarus. According to him, it should include ending repression, releasing all political prisoners, allowing all exiles to return safely, decriminalizing political and civil society activities and journalism, lifting restrictions against Belarusians abroad, holding a roundtable with pro-democracy forces, ending Belarus\u2019 involvement in Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine, exonerating victims of political motivated persecution, and returning confiscated property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141atu\u0161ka stressed that the Belarusians are facing transnational repression on a larger scale than any other European nation in the 21st century and noted what he called the \u0141uka\u0161enka regime\u2019s attempts at destabilization and sabotage in Europe. He recalled that the EU imposed sanctions on the regime for human rights violations, hybrid attacks, the forced landing of a civilian aircraft, and support for Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He called for sustained pressure on the \u0141uka\u0161enka to force it to change its own policy and stressed that pro-democracy forces should be part of \u201cany contacts with Belarusian authorities concerning the country\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141atu\u0161ka said that a \u201cwindow of opportunity\u201d could open in the coming months as the Ukraine peace process gathers momentum. He emphasized that Belarus should be on the agenda of post-war talks and described them as an opportunity to liberate Belarusian political prisoners and halt repression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The petition, signed by 113 people as of Wednesday evening, urges the EU to become \u201cactively involved\u201d in the talks that have resulted in the release of hundreds of political prisoners. The petitioners say that \u201cno political goal is worth people\u2019s life and health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The petition sparked debate within the opposition camp, with some critics saying that it downplays values and prioritizes \u201cphysical survival at any cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"