Babaryka Wrote How He Saw the World and Belarusians After Release

After a long absence from the "real world" and now being in forced emigration, I saw a picture of a world that has significantly changed.

1. The diversity of "colors" that people were proud of and in which they found joy in life has disappeared. Only white or black, ours or theirs, friend or foe remains. The dominating principles are: "whoever is stronger is right"; everyone for themselves, and any problem can be solved not through achieving a common compromise based on a single foundation, but through armed confrontation. The result of the victory of such rules is Russia's unleashing of war, from which the Ukrainian people are now suffering, and our country has found itself an accomplice to the aggressor.

2. Belarusians have found themselves physically divided into those inside the country and those outside. It seems that these two groups have different pains and interests, that they do not hear or understand each other. Moreover, even within these "divided Belarusians," there is no unity or accord.

3. There is a clearly defined goal for the regime that has been preserved in Belarus — maintaining its own power and the distorted "stability" that allows it to do everything to achieve this goal. In this, the regime is strongly aided by an "eastern ally" who provides all possible means: economic, political, military, security, etc.

4. Belarusians who do not accept the "optimism" of the existing regime lack a unified understanding of a common vision for the future.

5. There is no unified opinion in Europe regarding Belarus and its capacity to support the movement towards necessary changes. And without a counterweight to the "eastern neighbor," it is practically impossible to ensure these changes are achieved. This was clearly demonstrated in 2020, when we were very close to implementing our program of changes, but it was Russia's actions that became the main "argument" in the regime's struggle then and remain its pillar today.

But I do not agree that today's world picture is the only possible and correct one. It is not based on universal human values that are close to me and have remained unchanged for many centuries.

When we talk about a common vision for the future for Belarusians, it is important to understand: we are not talking about reverting to a previous state, but about creating conditions for a free, independent, and secure country, where everyone has the opportunity to realize themselves and build their prosperity. Such a state of affairs has not existed in Belarus before and does not exist now.

I understand that with a single goal, the paths to achieving it may diverge, but this does not devalue the idea itself. Everyone can go their own way and at their own pace, but the goal remains one — creating conditions for the development of Belarus.

I know that very often the methods of achieving a common goal become causes for divisions and confrontations, but this does not change my attitude towards the principles that are close to me.

The sad experience of recent years has only confirmed: the external world is just a boundary condition for your physical freedom. Undoubtedly, it is very important, as it determines your opportunities, but it should not lead to abandoning the system of values you adhere to.

As of today, I do not have a precise plan of action — neither my own nor yours — but I am beginning to move in the direction of its formation. I think it won't take much time. Certainly not years.

And in conclusion, I want to say the following: the main thing is not who will be president and what our new Belarus will be like. The main thing is to create conditions under which Belarusians themselves can resolve these and other important issues that determine the fate of every person and the entire nation.

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