The Foundation for Support of Democratic Initiatives held an expert discussion on the events in Belarus “Free Belarus”.
The discussion was attended by:
- Ales Lagvinets, political scientist, public figure.
- Natalia Kharytanyuk, protester, Minsk.
- Syarhei Lisichonak, protest participant, public figure, Minsk.
- Aleksandr Streltsov, protest participant, public figure.
Moderated by Yuriy Mindyuk, Director of the FPDI.
Issues discussed:
- Why did the protests take place in Belarus after 26 years of Lukashenko’s rule? What was the impetus for these seemingly impossible events?
- What are the prospects of the protest in Belarus? What do the protesters want? Is it only the release of political prisoners and fair re-elections or something else?
- The phenomenon of telegram channels, in particular Necht, as protest leaders.
- Who can lead the country if Lukashenko is removed? Where will the country go in this case?
- There are voices in Ukraine that Moscow is at least helping and directing the protest in Belarus, and possibly even controlling it. Is this possible, and if so, what are its goals?