Bialiatski: We shouldn't rush to lift sanctions. Because the regime will perceive this as its victory and Europe's weakness

— There is currently a dialogue between the Trump administration and Lukashenka, which resulted in the release of political prisoners. What do you think of this pragmatic approach?

— I look at it primarily as a negotiation strategy: people are released in exchange for some economic or political concessions.

Thanks to this, people are set free, and I support it. For me, it is primarily a humanitarian issue.

Europe must ask itself: what is Belarus? Is it a European country or not?

But there is a danger: political prisoners can turn into a permanent commodity. Some are released, and then the regime recruits new ones. It becomes an endless carousel.

Therefore, it is necessary not only to release people but also to achieve an end to repression. Knowing Lukashenka for over thirty years, I am convinced that, as a dictator, he understands only the position of strength.

— But can't negotiations themselves lead to the legitimization of the regime?

— That's precisely why caution is needed here. The release of political prisoners is one thing. Political and economic legalization of the regime is quite another.

I speak with European politicians and say: we shouldn't rush to lift sanctions. Because the regime will perceive this as its victory and Europe's weakness.

Europe must ask itself: what is Belarus? Is it a European country or not? Does the Belarusian people have the right to be part of the European democratic space?

— You talk about the need to maintain pressure on the regime. But are channels of communication with it also necessary at the same time?

— Negotiations can be useful if they allow for the release of people or the resolution of humanitarian problems. But one must not succumb to illusions.

Lukashenka's main goal is to remain in power. One cannot trust his promises without concrete actions.

We have already gone through periods of dialogue and warming relations between the regime and the West. And then everything ended in repression again.

— Therefore, it is necessary to work primarily with democratic forces, support Belarusian civil society, and help preserve Belarusian identity. Otherwise, imperial Russia will come to Belarus.

— Many in the West, it seems, do not pay attention to this aspect.

— Of course. This is a question of civilizational choice. Russia's war against Ukraine has shown how acute this issue is for our region.

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