The likelihood of a new Russian assault on Ukraine from Belarus has been actively mentioned in the latest months. Since the 1st day of the war, Belarusian territory has been consistently utilised as a bridgehead for Russian navy maneuvers. But Alexander Lukashenko, who calls himself the president of Belarus, maintains warning when commenting on Russia’s war against Ukraine, in which Belarus proceeds to participate.

Vitaly Shklyarov, a Belarusian and American political strategist, believes that an attack in opposition to Ukraine by Belarusian troops is only a issue of time. It hurts him to see what Lukashenko has turned Belarus into and how many folks his routine has killed and imprisoned.

Shklyarov is also a target of Lukashenko’s tyranny. In 2020, he was detained for allegedly collaborating with opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky just before Tikhanovsky was imprisoned for 18 yrs. Shklyarov invested three months powering bars and was tortured, but managed to escape, He is now unable to go residence and fulfill with his moms and dads.

In an interview with Kyiv Post, Shklyarov explains what he thinks must take place to the Belarusian routine and why Ukraine issues in saving all Belarusians.

Had been you in Kyiv when the war commenced?

Yes.

Tell us about your emotions on that working day, Feb. 24, when you understood that Russia was attacking and invading Ukraine, together with from the territory of Belarus, your indigenous state.

I could not consider it. I can truthfully say that I didn’t feel that this could come about until finally it did. I thought it was a bluff or some ill fantasy.

There was surprise at initial. I woke up early in the morning right after the bombing started, and saw about 30 missed calls from parents, buddies, and family members. I assumed, “Damn! How to are living with this now?!”

It may possibly appear strange, but on the morning of Feb. 24 I went for a run on Trukhaniv Island as usual. It was weird to operate by an vacant Khreshchatyk Road, the heart of the money. There was no just one about and I could only listen to air-raid sirens. I understood that a war had started and felt a feeling of dread for the to start with time.

I believed that the assault on Chernihiv experienced been introduced from the side of my native Gomel, the place I arrive from. I consider of Chernihiv as my very own and normally frequented there when I was young. So this is now my war much too.

Following the operate, I returned house, then went to be part of a territorial defense device.

Do you still provide in the territorial defense unit?

No, I was there for the 1st 10 times.

Do you agree with the assertion that Belarus, like Russia, is waging war towards Ukraine?

To begin with, I think that Lukashenko individually unleashed the war in opposition to Ukraine on Feb. 24. Again in Nov. 2021, he mentioned that “if a war breaks out in Donbas or somewhere on the border with Russia, Belarus will not stand aside.” Later, he regularly confirmed this statement. Therefore, sure, Belarus is a bash to the conflict and is waging war in opposition to Ukraine.

Next, Belarus has been one of Russia’s closest allies for a prolonged time. This is a crucial fact and should be talked about. Lukashenko’s totalitarian routine has dominated now for 30 decades. The existence of Lukashenko’s Belarus relies intensely on Russia’s support: Russia has been subsidizing the country’s weak economy with small-amount financial loans and discounted gasoline and oil for a long time.

So, Belarus turned into [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s accomplice in the invasion of Ukraine, becoming a bridgehead for Russian money and armed service models attacking Ukraine from the north.

I’d like to remind your viewers that a fictitious referendum was held in Belarus following the get started of the war, on Feb. 27. As a final result, norms about the neutrality of Belarus, which include its intention to adhere to remaining a nuclear-cost-free status, ended up eradicated from the Constitution. At the exact time, amendments have been released increasing Lukashenko’s powers.

It must also be pointed out that the dictator announced the risk of placing nuclear weapons in the place. This is an crucial point, even if it is the delusion of a madman. Consequently, the traitor Lukashenko allowed Putin to turn the independence of Belarus and its “imaginary” sovereignty into a laughingstock prolonged back.

Is an global tribunal essential to deliver Lukashenko and his associates to justice?

We know what crimes Lukashenko is committing, first of all, from the persons of Belarus and secondly in opposition to Ukrainians. Sanctions are only the initial phase – they ordinarily goal at changing political conduct. But Lukashenko will have to be brought to justice as a result of the intercontinental legal court for the crimes he has dedicated. The European Parliament is now actively discussing the possibility of bringing charges versus the dictator.

What can end Lukashenko from participating in the war, for case in point inducing him to go away Belarus in peace and potentially fleeing the place?

On the one hand, the risk of Russia annexing Belarus on Russia’s phrases is presently a reality. This is apparent not only from the country’s financial dependence on Russia, but also the simple fact that Russian troops were being not deployed in Belarus underneath the conditions of the Collective Protection Treaty Corporation (CSTO), but by drive, devoid of authorization of the Belarusian people. This is a big challenge.

On the other hand, in early August it grew to become obvious that only 13,000 Belarusian servicemen signed their consent to take part in the war from Ukraine, and I continue to doubt this variety.

Lukashenko won’t quit anything. He cannot be adjusted, and we really should not be underneath any illusions about that. At the identical time, Belarusians are not completely ready and do not want to be complicit in this war. This is Lukashenko and Putin’s war.

Even so, this does not make Ukrainian persons come to feel greater. Lukashenko and the Belarusian individuals must be seen separately. It is important to cooperate with Belarusians in get to get, even though Lukashenko and Putin are clearly war criminals.

An attack versus Ukraine by Belarusian troops is only a matter of time. And it looks to me that there will be an offensive. Belarusians residing in the nation have no decision. Thus, they need assistance to glimpse for a distinct upcoming. They need to have to be taught, talked to, received in excess of and confident. We require to battle for the minds of Belarusians – this is much more vital than building a 1,084-kilometer wall on the border.

Neither steel nor partitions will protect Ukrainians as reliably as the will of free of charge Belarusians who do not want to stay as in advance of, and who are versus the war – brave and ready, like Ukrainians – to cease any of Putin’s and Lukashenko’s gangs and guard their dwelling.

I believe that Lukashenko could end, or at the very least restrain, serious political and army aid to Ukraine. If we do not combat for Belarusians collectively with Ukrainians, we won’t change Belarus. And then no wall will end Lukashenko. Only interior tension, anxiety of a further rebel, and an irresistible need by the individuals for a new life and significant modify in the state. Only those people matters will stop the advancement of this “cancerous tumor” for good.

So you feel it is a authentic chance that Belarusian troopers will invade the territory of Ukraine?

I am absolutely sure that Lukashenko has no other choice, because he is a Russian common. Lukashenko is not Belarusian. Disgrace on anyone who calls him the president, ex-president of Belarus, or “batka” [father].

And if instantly, God forbid, Belarusian servicemen ended up to battle on the facet of the Russian military, this would only lengthen the list of enemies with Belarusian names killed in Ukraine. It would not drastically improve the consequence of the war. In simple fact, it would accelerate the downfall of Lukashenko’s routine.

No subject how unusual it sounds: enable them go, allow them attempt to get concerned in this fight, and they will get what they have earned. Lifetime is fair!

Do you look at Belarus to be Russian-occupied territory?

Sure. Ukraine is partially occupied by Russia, when Belarus is completely occupied and has been for a very long time. Energy is seized by power and held by the Russian basic Lukashenko. Russia succeeded in executing with Belarus what it dreamed of performing with Ukraine but failed.