Belarusian foot soldiers would have to “defect” and “change sides” if Vladimir Putin ordered them to invade Ukraine, according to the leader of the Belarusian pro-democracy movement.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was forced to leave Belarus after challenging Alexander Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, which was deemed rigged in the United States and the European Union.
Fears are emerging that Lukashenko, Putin’s closest best friend in Europe, may simply order his army to sign up for the war in Ukraine, and the Ukrainian military warns that the “secret mobilization” of the Belarusian army is taking a stand “under the pretext of educational sessions. “
According to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense, 9,000 Russian troops have been deployed in Belarus.
Speaking to Newsweek, Tsikhanouskaya suggested that Belarusian troops “desert, replace sides, lay down their arms” if ordered to enter Ukraine.
Tsikhanouskaya said she had campaigned against the involvement of Belarusian forces since the beginning of the war.
“We conducted the political and data crusade seeking to convince each and every soldier, each and every official to sabotage, but not join the war,” he told Newsweek. “And we will continue to do so. The fact that our troops did not enter Ukraine is the result of the harsh paintings of many people. We have developed commands [about] what to do if you are sent to Ukraine. “
Asked if Russian infantrymen in Belarus consider themselves components of an “occupation army,” Tsikhanouskaya replied: “Indeed. “
“No one called them. They are in Belarus against the Belarusian constitution, against the will of our other people and against our national interests. The deployment of Russian troops on Belarusian territory is illegal, and we ask each and every one. “The Russian soldier leaves Belarus unconditionally,” he said.
“A lot of other people think Russian troops were coming to Belarus to attack Ukraine. The fact is that they are here for Bielorrusia. Su purpose is to make sure that Belarus remains under Putin’s control. After the first mistakes in Ukraine, he needs to be safe. “Belarusafter itself. “
The 2020 presidential election in Belarus sparked nationwide protests, which were brutally repressed by security forces who did not let up in Lukashenko.
Tsikhanouskaya, whom many opposition activists see as the genuine winner of the 2020 election, said she would be “absolutely” in a position to lead a new government if Lukashenko falls.
He advised that Belarus’ accession to the war could lead to regime replacement in Minsk.
“Direct intervention would catalyze adjustments in Belarus. Now he [Lukashenko] pretends that he is protecting the country from war, but we all know that he himself is the biggest risk along with Putin,” Tsikhanouskaya said.
“We in one position formed the cabinet in August, and it is in a position for an interim government until new elections. People who abandon the formula are also in a position that joins the cabinet. But while new elections are held, the cabinet will be disposed of my position. I promised Belarusians that I would only be here until the new elections. “
Tsikhanouskaya added that Lukashenko is “Putin’s vassal” and “no longer represents Belarusians. “
Some Belarusian exiles joined the Ukrainian army to fight Putin’s invasion and were at least reportedly killed in July.
Newsweek has reached out to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry for comment.
Join newsletters from one million Newsweek readers