Political Prisoner Kim Samusenka Compared the World at the Moments of His Imprisonment and Release: Everything Is Not Bad for European Civilization, and Therefore, for Belarusians

Image from Kim Samusenka's Facebook

“I was gone for five and a half years, and I received information through interesting sources — 'Savbelka' (Soviet Belarus newspaper) and other monsters. So, I looked for information about what was happening in the world between the lines. Therefore, when I arrived, I was surprised that many people were so negative — like everything is bad, all is lost. Let's put it this way: the most important question is from what point of view to consider,” Kim Samusenka wrote on his Facebook page.

We summarize his post.

Recall that the Samusenka family was among those most affected by political repression after 2020. Kim Samusenka was sentenced to 6.5 years in a penal colony under articles 293, 342, 350, and 352 of the Criminal Code, and his brother Aliaksei — to four years under articles 293, 341, 342, 350, 352, and 354.

“People like me — who are in forced migration, whose property has been confiscated — have every right to say that everything is bad. But if we still somewhat forget these personal moments and look from the perspective of our common interests — pan-European interests, the interests of European civilization, and, accordingly, the interests of Belarusians (because, as I believe, the interests of a civilization and a nation from that civilization cannot diverge) — then everything is far from being so bad.

And now let's go through the points, what seems good to me, and what is not so good.

I will talk about geopolitics; I will only briefly touch upon Belarus. To put it concisely, from a historical perspective, I can say that everything is good and what has happened is great. Yes, unfortunately, it didn't happen immediately. Many in 2020 said it would be a marathon, not a sprint. I don't know what people who are now dissatisfied were thinking. Perhaps they thought a marathon was two months, not one? No, excuse me, these are years and, unfortunately, most likely, also blood, much blood. Frankly, we have an opportunity to slip "between the raindrops" and pass this path peacefully, but it's quite an illusory possibility. What to do, this is the path, we are walking it. Well, okay, about Belarus later, if anyone is interested.

And now — to these short, rather concise main points: what has happened over these five years? Why does it seem to me that everything is great?

1. In recent years, after 2022, Europe began to feel its agency, as it had been dormant before. And here it had to realize that there is a threat from this chimera, located at the junction of Europe and Asia, and that this chimera wants to spread its metastases worldwide. And Europe woke up and began to reclaim its agency, rights, dignity, and identity. Everything is moving towards Europe feeling like a mature civilization that decides its own fate, rather than waiting for help from someone else.

2. The second important point is the USA. A historical event — the separation and emergence of agency in (well, let's call it that) North American civilization.

For over 100 years, it was clear that America had a different set of values, different views on life, business, and policymaking. Despite their origin from Europe, from European civilization, they branched off and became a separate civilization. And before our eyes, they are recognizing themselves as an independent, purposeful civilization. And they tell Europe: "Europe, we don't always agree with you," and Europe says: "And we don't agree with you either."

What is the biggest advantage of such a situation? Now, if this process continues, everything will be transparent: these are two different civilizations with different goals that can cooperate. Until now, there was a situation where everyone felt a divergence in values and goals, and this caused tension, but now it has broken through and been formalized — a separate civilization. This is much better than what was before.

3. The third point is Ukraine. Ukraine will never again become part of Russia or the "Russian world." Ukraine will never again become a springboard for Russia to act through its hands or from its territory. Ukrainians have finally broken with their Soviet past.

The price they are paying is terrible. But the fact that this country has finally formed its agency as a modern European country, and the people inhabiting this country understand who they are — that is invaluable.

Павялічыць

Kim Samusenka with his wife and daughter after his release. Photo from his Facebook.

4. Moldova. When I was imprisoned, Dodon was there. But Moldova made a choice, deciding that they are part of Europe. Yes, it might be difficult, there are many specific issues, but all in all — Moldova is on our side of history, and that's great.

5. Armenia also made its choice. Well, okay, they are trying both ways, but they very clearly declared that they are not part of the "sovok" (Soviet sphere). They have their own problems, shortcomings, their own complex history, but they are an independent country. Great.

6. Azerbaijan genuinely broke with Russia, and that's great.

7. Kazakhstan. Everything there is far from ideal, but Nazarbayev was driven away from the trough. They carried out a rather adequate change to the Constitution, gradually removed the Russian language — very carefully, but again: Kazakhstan ceased to be a country that Russia could dictate to.

China also views Kazakhstan as a zone of its interests. But in any case, for us, this is great, as it weakens the enemy.

8. Hungary. Just as I got out, an end was put to the 16-year rule of the country by a pseudo-right-wing demagogue who blackmailed all of Europe.

9. Sweden and Finland in NATO — and this improved the security of this flank of Europe.

10. What else? Iran. It's a pity that the USA has not yet finished the job and the regime in Iran has not changed. But Iran has ceased to be a major player: almost all of Iran's proxies are merely surviving and cannot act actively, there is no regional influence, the economy is in the toilet (to put it mildly).

11. Syria. Bashar al-Assad — goodbye, and Syria, it seems, has become at least a neutral state. Which is great, because previously it was an Iranian proxy with significant Russian influence. Moreover, Syrian refugees, not all of whom have assimilated in Europe, will begin (not all voluntarily) to return home and relieve pressure on the budgets of European countries. And that's also a plus.

12. Venezuela. Yes, not everything is great there, and the Chavistas are still in power, but they have been reined in, severely reined in, and there will be changes. Venezuela, again, is no longer a Russian or Chinese satellite.

13. Most likely, soon Cuba. The situation in Cuba has reached a point where they will be forced to agree to some deals.

14. A separate issue — Africa and Latin America. And there, Russia's influence is not growing.

So, to summarize, during the time I "was away," the general changes, global changes, are maximally positive for us — for Europeans, for Belarusians.

Yes, many people have died and this all causes many difficulties. But there is positivity, and there is more of it if one looks at it strategically."

• 32
• 0
• 0
• 5
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 2