Maxim Viniarski: Lukashenko Is Deceiving The USA
- 24.03.2026, 16:41
The dictator is just Putin's puppet.
Under pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, dictator Lukashenko allowed the departure of Lithuanian vans.
Can we say that Lukashenko was afraid of the US pressure, and what tools Washington could use to force the dictator to release political prisoners?
The coordinator of the civil campaign "European Belarus" Maksim Vinyarsky answered these and other questions to Charter97.org.
- In my opinion, there is an idea of benefit for the Americans, who first of all try to take into account their own interests. It seems that they are going to enter the potash business of dictator Lukashenko. Most likely, this is what they are talking about when representatives of the Trump administration come here.
But there is another side. Americans should realize that they are actually being deceived. At the same time one woman's husband is being released from among the roughly 250 political prisoners who were released, his wife is actually being given eight and a half years in a "backyard chats" case. This clearly shows how dictator Lukashenko is going to fulfill his promises. Every day, trials continue in Belarus. The number of political prisoners is actually hardly decreasing, and recruiting new hostages is not a big problem for Lukashenko.
It should be understood that Lukashenko is not an independent politician. No matter how much he tries to demonstrate independence and impose importance on himself, he is just a puppet of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. And all his political decisions will be coordinated with Moscow.
- Will Lithuania continue to adhere to a tough position and will not weaken sanctions despite Lukashenko's attempts to secure the transit of potash fertilizers?
- As far as I understand, Lithuania will adhere to the general position adopted by the leadership of the European Union: Lukashenko at this stage cannot be negotiated with and cannot be conceded to. Precisely because the sanctions were imposed not only for repression, for his complicity in the war against Ukraine.
- In this sense, nothing has changed. He was a puppet of the Kremlin and remains so, and the military threat from him has not disappeared. Now, when, according to some reports, Putin and his entourage may prepare for another aggressive move against the Baltic States, Lukashenko should not be allowed to receive additional money, including for potassium transit.
I hope that in Lithuania, with the exception of some marginal politicians, they understand this. This is about the common security of the European Union, and dealing with a bloody dictator who is a puppet of another dictator is in no way acceptable.
- Is it realistic, as John Cole says, to reach the release of all political prisoners by the end of the year? What steps should European countries take to increase pressure on Lukashenko's regime?
- One must realize that even the concessions that have now been made by the U.S. must be in question and could be reconsidered at any moment. Lukashenko should realize that as soon as he demonstrates that he has not stopped repression, that he has not stopped violence against his own people, all these sanctions can be imposed again.
And then there may be a certain result, because here it is like with terrorists: if there are negotiations, then for every step towards him, he should make a commensurate step in return. If this does not happen, if in fact promises are broken, then sanctions must be imposed again - and even more severe.