DISINFO: US and NATO see Belarus only as part of an anti-Russia bastion
SUMMARY
Americans are interested in the Belarusian state only insofar as they are interested in Ukraine, as anti-Russian projects. UK’s Chatham House is of similar view, as it wants to bring Alexander Lukashenko down after the period of “soft Belarusification”. Events in Venezuela show that West can actually recognize any Belarusian opposition leader as interim president event before actual coup-d’état. The West plans to develop its expert and agent community in Belarus, to bring anti-Russian Ukrainian analytical centers and NGOs to Belarus, and to rely on Belarusian civil society in order to disrupt Russia-Belarus relations.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative on western plans to organize colour revolution in Belarus and to disrupt Russia-Belarus ties. Over the past two years, there has been progress in EU–Belarus relations. Belarus has been participating more pro-actively in the Eastern Partnership, in particular in the multilateral formats, negotiations on a Mobility Partnership were concluded and negotiations on a Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements are underway. More about the relations between the EU and Belarus here.
NATO and Belarus have established a relationship based on the pursuit of common interests, while also keeping open channels for dialogue. Key areas of cooperation include civil preparedness and defence reforms. NATO works with Belarus to implement reforms in these areas, while continuing to call on Belarus to increase the pace of its democratic reforms. More about the relations between NATO and Belarus here.The mentioned Chatham House's report analyses the ways to increase societal resilience in Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova to threats emanating from Russia, which deploys a set of tools aimed at weakening their sovereignty.