Martin Lidegaard: Half of my heart belongs to Belarus, the other half belongs to Ukraine

Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard met with Belarusian and Ukrainian independent journalists.

The situation in Belarus and Ukraine in connection Russia's military aggression was discussed at the meeting at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 26.

Natallia Radizna, the editor-in-chief of charter97.org, and Yulia Slutskaya, the head of Belarus in Focus, spoke about the situation in Belarus. The situation in Ukraine was presented by Oleksiy Matsuka, the editor-in-chief of the Donbas News agency.

Editor-in-chief of charter97.org Natallia Radizna said Belarus became a “negotiation venue” for conflicting parties in Russia's war against Ukraine, Lukashenka turned into a “peacekeeper” and European goods flew to Russia through Belarus, bypassing sanctions.

“Lukashenka has the 'moment of glory' on the 20th year of dictatorship. He, who suffers from many complexes, has received both international recognition he needs so much and huge profit from smuggling.

We urge you not to forget that:

– Belarus is political prisoners suffering from torture and inhumane treatment. As a former political prisoner, I can say that Belarusian jails have not changed since Stalin's times. Many political prisoners have been held behind bars for 4 years. We are not sure that will remain alive until the release.

– Belarus is abductions and killings of dissidents. This year, we mark the 15th anniversary of the abduction of Belarusian opposition leaders Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski. The authorities close their cases, though the Council of Europe admitted these persons had been killed on the order of Lukashenka's team.

I'd like to remind you that the founder of charter97.org was killed 4 years ago ahead of the presidential election.

– Belarus is the elimination of all freedoms and rights of citizens, the puppet 'parliament', puppet courts, the absence of freedom of speech, full control over society by the KGB and other security agencies.

– Belarus is a cruel totalitarian regime. Lukashenka is the illegitimate president who keeps his power by force.

I heard the phrase in the Danish parliament: 'There are no revolutions in Denmark, because it always rains'. The weather in Belarus is not good, too, but the 10-million nation became a hostage of a cruel and cunning tyrant. It is he who gave birth to Putin's dictatorship.

We need solidarity of the world today. We need a clear strategy on Belarus – sanctions against the Lukashenka regime and real support for democratic forces and independent media.

A few Belarusian independent media that still work in the country are on the verge of survival. Help us. Denmark knows what it means to live under fascist occupation and how allies are important in this situation,” Natallia Radzina said.

Yulia Slutakaya noted that the Russian-Ukrainian crisis demonstrated the role and importance of the Belarusian independent media.

“The Belarusians have been under the influence of Russian propaganda on Russian TV channels that are broadcast in Belarus. Belarusian state-owned media were afraid of taking any stance.

Nevertheless, the latest opinion polls show that 30% of the Belarusians do not consider the Ukrainians 'fascists' and 'Bandera supporters' and understand that the military action in the Donbas region is supported by Russia. It is the merit of the independent media. It is only due to them that the Belarusians know about political prisoners, violations of human rights and neighbouring countries that chose democratic reforms and have achieved significant successes.

Let me remind you that the Belarusian independent media have no opportunities for free distribution. The state has a monopoly on the distribution and production. They don't have opportunities to earn on advertising and develop.

In the new foreign policy situation of the war between Russia and Ukraine, when the centre of negotiations on a peaceful solution moved to Minsk and Lukashenka plays the role of a 'peacekeeper', much depends on Europe's firm and principled position.

Lukashenka is scared by the threat from Russia that became absolutely real. He is scared by his voters, most of whom, under the influence of Russian propaganda, are not ready to defend the country's independence.

Lukashenka needs European money to weaken the country's dependence on Russia.

We, the journalists, have been watching this for 20 years. We don't believe Lukashenka is able to change and move to democratic reforms. But we understand the new situation must be used. I call on you to remember old lessons. We must use all means to release political prisoners and make Lukashenka start reforms. The future of Ukraine, Belarus and entire democratic Europe depends today on your solidarity and firm position,” Yulia Slutskaya said.

Oleksiy Matsuka, the editor-in-chief of the Donbas News agency, urged European politicians to continue being firm and principled and impose further sanctions on Russia.

“We met with armed separatists in Donetsk in April. I survived several attempts on my life. I cannot work in Donetsk today. None of 15 Donetsk newspapers work any longer. All TV channels are occupied by separatists. They created their ideal 'Russian world' that is even worse than the Belarusian one. It is Soviet. They even named their punitive body NKVD. We need to resist it. People in Denmark, for example, don't know well what is happening in Ukraine. I noticed that Russian propaganda took roots even here. We call on you to extend sanctions against Russia and not to soften your position,” Oleksiy Matsuka said.

Danish Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard noted the government of Denmark would continue its strategy of supporting democratic initiatives in Belarus and Ukraine.

“Half of my heard belongs to Belarus and the other half belongs to Ukraine. I am convinced that the free media are oxygen of democracy and propaganda is the direct opposite,” the minister said.

The Danish foreign minister earlier worked at a youth organisation, which tried to work with Belarusian civil society, and had first-hand experience of difficulties in our country.

Photo: Arkivfoto