"This is a good trait, one must talk." Pazniak praised Macron for calling Lukashenka
He is convinced that Western politicians should negotiate with Alexander Lukashenka, bargain, and exchange sanctions for the release of political prisoners and the cessation of repressions. Zianon Pazniak stated this on Belsat's air.
The leader of the "Free Belarus" movement praised the President of France for calling Alexander Lukashenka. Pazniak called this "a good trait": "Of course, one must meet and talk, and not take a stance that he is illegitimate and I don't want to know him, because there is a war, serious matters are at hand."
"If this representative of France is smart enough and if he can clarify some situation, it will be useful. France will receive some sufficiently accurate information, because I don't think they know the whole situation that is happening. The fact that Macron sends a representative is good. The fact that France is a nuclear country, the fact that such a negotiation process is beginning — this strengthens Belarus's weight in this war. Because in this war, the most important thing is not to lose independence," Pazniak stated.
The opposition leader is convinced that negotiations should be held with Lukashenka and bargaining should take place with him. As a result, all political prisoners must be released, and repressions must stop. With each new round of negotiations, new conditions must be presented to Minsk — just like the Americans do. First, it was the release and forced removal of political prisoners abroad, then some of those released were still allowed to stay in Belarus.
It is very important that people who are in prisons are released. Next is the limitation of repressions, the cessation of repressions, then — investments. America pursues a consistent policy, beneficial to America and beneficial to Belarusians," Pazniak believes.
He argues that if the USA starts investing money in Belarus, it will thus acquire its own interest, which will protect our country from absorption by Russia:
"The fact that America has become involved means Belarus is now a political subject. For America, it doesn't matter who will be president, even a horse, it's important that Belarus is independent. For American geopolitics, it's important: Russia shouldn't be here. The fact that they propose for potash trade to begin means they are investing their capital. This means there will be investments. Where American capital is, where their investments are, there are their interests. And Mr. Putin will have no business poking his nose."
Pazniak expects that the negotiations between the Americans and Lukashenka will continue, despite the pause. It is unlikely that the reason for the delay was some demands from Minsk that Washington cannot fulfill.
"Lukashenka clung to Trump, to America, like a straw, like a thread. Don't think that Lukashenka is happy to be under Putin and fulfill all his wishes. He, as they say, wiggles between Putin, between America, between Trump, he looks for all sorts of exits. But we understand what Lukashenka is: if he needs to destroy the entire people, he will destroy Belarusians without hesitation, if he needs to save his own skin," Zianon Pazniak concluded.
Yesterday, Lukashenka at the summit in Astana reported on Macron's call, saying that the conversation lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
Alexander Lukashenka spoke about a request from the French president: "I say: 'Listen, we're talking — this is practically an open line. What can we talk about? After Yerevan, you didn't come to Moscow, you didn't come to Minsk. What is there to talk about?' He tells me: 'Mr. President, can you receive my trusted representative and talk with him, and for him to come and tell me everything?'"
Lukashenka, according to him, gave his kind consent to this: as if, if Macron himself is afraid to come, then let there be at least a representative. "Literally these days — on Monday or Tuesday (I don't remember) — this person will be here. I don't want to reveal his name. He (Macron. — NN) gave the coordinates. And we will seriously talk with him (the trusted person. — NN). This is his person, absolutely trusted, he is in the loop. And I will detail all the existing problems to him."