Democratic forces concentrate on the anti-nuclear campaign, while Latushka rallies supporters of decisive regime change

Civil society, democratic forces and the independent media concentrate on an anti-nuclear agenda and the gradual loss of Belarusian independence. The deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet (UTC), Pavel Latushka, is organising supporters of forced regime change as confidence in the ByPOL organisation declines.

The anti-nuclear campaign resonates with the population in opposition to the Lukashenka regime, which, aided by propaganda, attempts to sway public opinion by promoting the advantages of nuclear status. However, aside from international and media pressure, democrats have few tools to influence the Belarusian ruling class. The petition against deploying such weapons on Belarusian territory has few signatories, possibly due to the high level of repression.

Tsikhanouskaya called on the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council to consider the implications of nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Pavel Latushka, the deputy chairman of the UTC and the head of the National Academy of Sciences, reacted strongly to the deployment of nuclear weapons and called for the liquidation of the Lukashenka regime by any available means.

The independent trade union movement is increasing pressure on the Lukashenka regime at the international level, despite the regime mobilising resources and international contacts. The International Labor Organization (ILO) adopted a resolution on applying Article No. 33 of the organisation’s charter to Belarus.

Civil society groups and democrats strive to defend the interests of exiled Belarusian businessmen within the framework of the Association of Belarusian Business Abroad (ABBA).

Trust is improving in relations with Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine as aid for soldiers is mobilised. Tsikhanouskaya’s office, with the help of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has provided pickup trucks for Kalinouski regiment. The leader of democratic Belarus presented “Honour and Dignity” medals to the relatives of fallen volunteers.

Democrats continue to work with the Ukrainian leadership. The deputy head of the UTC, Valery Kavaleuski, met with the adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Mykhailo Podalyak, to promote Tsikhanouskaya’s legitimacy and seek Ukrainian support for democratic Belarus and cooperation at the international level.

Steps to delegitimise the Lukashenka regime and prepare an international prosecution to continue. UTC representative Pavel Latushka announced the transfer of evidence of the illegal removal of children from Ukraine to the International Criminal Court in preparation of a report on Lukashenka’s responsibility for crimes against humanity.

Internal conflict within the ByPOL ex-security forces organisation is somewhat mitigated by the mediation of Tsikhanouskaya and the UTC.

Democrats are unlikely to succeed in mobilising society to oppose the deployment of nuclear weapons due to the high level of repression in the country.