Фото: правительство Литвы
Fundamental changes are needed to begin a dialogue with Belarus. Asta Skaisgirytė, an adviser to the Lithuanian president, said this on Žinių radijas.
According to her, Belarus remains dependent on Russia. The close integration of the military structures of Belarus and Russia and the reported deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in the country indicate that Russia may use its ally for its own purposes.
“All of this indicates that if Russia wants to use Belarusian territory, it will be able to do so, as it did, and has already done, in 2022, when it attacked Ukraine,” Skaisgirytė said.
In her view, Vilnius’s position toward Minsk is becoming tougher rather than more lenient.
“We are sticking to our course, and I think that despite all the talk in the public space, we will continue to adhere to it. The Belarusian regime is a repressive regime, and sanctions against Belarus should be strengthened,” she said.
The Lithuanian president’s adviser was also asked about the prospects for political dialogue with Belarus.
“The Americans have started a dialogue and are talking about the release of political prisoners, which is again very good and right from a humanitarian perspective. However, there are thousands of political prisoners. That is the situation. Some are released, others are sent to prison. This is, you know, a kind of dialogue. Well, I think that for this meaningful dialogue to become possible, some fundamental changes are needed,” she said.