President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, stating that he will begin negotiations with the leader of the opposition of the republic, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, only after Russian President Vladimir Putin does the same with the founder of the FBK (recognized in Russia as an NGO-foreign agent and a banned extremist organization, liquidated by a court decision) Alexei Navalny , pointed out the impossibility of dialogue with those who disagree. This was announced to reporters during a briefing by the Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov.
“Apparently, Aleksandr Grigorievich very colorfully declared the categorical impossibility and absence of any topic for a conversation with Mrs. Tikhanovskaya. This is probably how it should be interpreted. This is the first thing. But for the rest, the President of Belarus decides for himself with whom he has a dialogue and for what purpose, ”said Peskov.
On November 18, during an expanded meeting of the collegium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putin said that problems remain in Belarus, although the situation has somewhat “calmed down”. “We are perfectly aware of this and, of course, call for a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition,” the head of state noted.
Yesterday Lukashenko gave an interview to the BBC, during which a journalist reminded him of the words of the Russian president. Lukashenko, in turn, said that Putin personally “did not advise him anything”, adding that “as soon as Putin and Navalny sit down at the negotiating table,” he “instantly” will start a dialogue with Tikhanovskaya.
Peskov, commenting on the fact that Putin expressed his position on Belarus publicly, but did not give advice in a conversation with Lukashenko, pointed out the impossibility of any pressure. “The President of Belarus, the president of a sovereign country, himself determines with whom he should conduct a dialogue, and for what, and for what,” Peskov emphasized.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is the wife of the Belarusian opposition politician Sergei Tikhanovsky, who was detained in May 2020, three months before the start of the presidential elections in the republic. After these events, his wife officially registered as a candidate for the post of head of state. Elections in Belarus took place on August 9 last year. According to official data, Lukashenka won them, gaining more than 80% of the votes.
When the results were presented, massive protests began in the country. Against this background, Tikhanovskaya created the Opposition Coordination Council. In December 2020, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Belarus opened a criminal case against her and other members of the Coordination Council on the creation of an extremist formation and leadership of it. In March 2021, the Prosecutor General’s Office also opened a criminal case against Tikhanovskaya on the preparation of a terrorist attack, and in October – on “unauthorized appropriation of power.” Tihanovskaya left the country and is currently in Lithuania.
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