Pavel Usov: Lukashenka can be talked to from a position of strength only

Lukashenka does not adhere to any norms and agreements, even those which had been signed by him.

According to a political analyst Pavel Usov, “Europe has decided not to try Lukashenka’s patience and has made a step forward after Sannikov and Bandarenka were released.”

“It is a goodwill gesture, to show that Europe is ready to lift tension between Belarus and the EU, and ready for the new round of the dialogue, and is waiting for a reciprocal response of the Belarusian authorities: release of the rest of all other political prisoners. As for centralization, there is no centralized decision-making in Europe so far: decisions are made by each country separately. It does not depend on Brussels,” the expert said in the interview to Euroradio.

He also noted that it is only possible to talk to Lukashenka from the position of strength.

“His rhetoric has not changed over the period of ten years. That is why it is only possible to talk to him from the position of strength, and not in the way Europeans are used to talk. They are used to respect certain international norms and agreements. And Lukashenka does not adhere to any norms and agreements, even those signed by him. And as soon as Lukashenka’s interests are going to be limited inside Belarus, the policy of repressions is to be returned,” Pavel Usov believes.