While the Belarusian leader Aleksandar Lukashenka had made friendly gestures toward Ukraine in the past, he is now performing the role of a stout ally of Russia. Belarus has ended its nuclear-free status, has allowed Russian forces to use its territory as a staging ground and threatens Ukraine by plans to open a new front. At the same time, he cannot be sure about the loyalty of the Belarusian Army let alone the willingness of the population to support direct military intervention into the War.
We invited internationally renowned civil rights activist Olga Karach and former military commander in the Belarusian Army Anton Kotov to speak on this issue. Olga Karach is the founder of the Nobel-Peace-Prize nominated Belarusian civil rights organization “Our House”, which monitors the political situation and violations of human rights in Belarus and supports refugees and dissidents. Anton Kotov served as platoon commander in the Belarusian Army, until he took part in the protests following the 2020 presidential elections.