The Uniqueness Of Belarus: Why It's Not Ukraine

Belarus and Ukraine are two distinct countries in Eastern Europe. While they share a border, they have separate histories, cultures, and political systems. Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, was formerly known as Belorussia or White Russia. It is a landlocked country with a population of around 9.1 million people and Minsk as its capital. The country has a rich history, having been controlled by various states throughout the medieval period and the 20th century, including the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Russian Empire.

On the other hand, Ukraine is a country with a population of about 38 million and Kyiv as its capital. It has a vibrant civil society and has implemented democratic reforms, although it still struggles with corruption. Ukraine has also faced a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022, which has resulted in significant deterioration in political rights and civil liberties for Ukrainians.

The confusion between Belarus and Ukraine may stem from historical misconceptions and the close ties between the two countries. Belarus and Ukraine were both part of the Soviet Union and have had their histories intertwined at various points. However, they are separate nations with distinct identities, languages, and cultures.

Ukraine has not broken off diplomatic relations with Belarus, unlike with Russia

Ukraine has not severed diplomatic ties with Belarus, unlike with Russia, despite the latter's involvement in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Belarus allowed Russia to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine from its territory, giving Russia the shortest possible land route to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Belarus has also permitted Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its soil and fired at Ukrainian targets.

However, Ukraine has chosen not to sever diplomatic ties with Belarus for several strategic reasons. Firstly, the channel between Moscow and Kyiv via Minsk is essential for exchanging notes and transmitting legal and consular documents. Secondly, Belarus is one of the few routes through which Ukrainians from occupied territories can reach areas controlled by the Ukrainian government. Finally, maintaining diplomatic relations with Belarus signals to Minsk that Kyiv will not resort to military force against its northern neighbour.

Despite not severing ties, Ukraine has taken steps to distance itself from Belarus. Ukraine recalled its ambassador to Belarus and reduced its embassy staff in Minsk to just five. Ukraine also banned Belarusian airlines from operating in its airspace and imposed sanctions on Belarusian officials.

The relationship between Ukraine and Belarus has deteriorated significantly since the 2022 Russian invasion. Belarus has described Ukraine as an "enemy" and has threatened to question the "appropriateness" of maintaining Ukrainian diplomatic representation in Minsk if Ukraine fails to address alleged airspace violations. Belarus has also joined Russia in conducting military drills and has allowed Russian nuclear weapons on its soil.

In summary, while Ukraine has not broken off diplomatic relations with Belarus, the relationship between the two countries has been severely strained by Belarus's involvement in the Russian invasion and its increasingly hostile actions towards Ukraine.

Belarus has allowed Russia to station troops and equipment on its territory

In the lead-up to the invasion, Belarus permitted the Russian Armed Forces to conduct weeks-long military drills on its territory. However, these troops did not leave Belarus as agreed and, instead, used the country as a staging ground for part of the invasion. Belarus has also allowed Russian missile launchers to be stationed on its soil and has provided Russia with full access to its military airbases and army installations for launching attacks on Ukraine.

The Belarusian Defence Ministry has stated that it expects to receive up to 9,000 Russian soldiers and 170 tanks, although the exact numbers and locations are not confirmed. This build-up of Russian forces in Belarus is seen as a significant threat to Ukraine, prompting Ukraine to call on Belarus to withdraw its troops from the border.

While Belarus has denied sending its own troops to fight in Ukraine, there have been reports of Belarusian soldiers fighting alongside Russians. Belarus's involvement in the conflict has been widely condemned by Western countries, resulting in sanctions being imposed.

The presence of Russian troops and equipment in Belarus highlights the erosion of Belarusian sovereignty and the increasing influence of Russia on its neighbour.

Belarus has been accused of war crimes, including the forced transfer of Ukrainian children

Belarus has been accused of aiding Russia in the invasion of Ukraine. The country has allowed Russian troops and weaponry to be stationed on its territory and has permitted Russia to launch attacks on Ukraine from its soil.

In addition, Belarus has been accused of war crimes, including the forced transfer of Ukrainian children. The National Anti-Crisis Management Group, a Belarusian opposition group, reported in August 2023 that at least 2,100 Ukrainian children had been transferred to Belarus. These children were allegedly held in summer camps administered by state-owned corporations. There is evidence to suggest that these transfers were conducted under the authority of the Union State and that the children were subjected to re-education efforts.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expressed "grave concern" over these allegations and launched an investigation into the matter. The European Union, the United States, Ukraine, Australia, and New Zealand have imposed sanctions in response to the forced deportations.

According to international humanitarian law, children in war zones should be evacuated to neutral third countries whenever possible. However, Belarus cannot be considered a neutral country, as it has lent its territory and support to Russia in the invasion of Ukraine.

The Belarusian government has denied these accusations, claiming that they are temporarily hosting the children to help them recover from the trauma of war. However, opposition activists have provided evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) suggesting that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko approved the forced transfers. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian commissioner for children's rights, for similar charges of unlawfully deporting children from Ukraine.

Belarus has been described as a puppet state of Russia

Secondly, there have been reports of Belarusian troops fighting alongside Russians in Ukraine, although the Belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, has denied these claims and asserted that the Belarusian Armed Forces would not participate directly in the conflict. Lukashenko has also stated that he would only send soldiers into Ukraine if Belarus were attacked first. However, in October 2024, Lukashenko ordered Belarusian troops to join Russian forces near Ukraine, citing a perceived threat from Kyiv.

Thirdly, Russia has stationed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, with Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing in March 2023 that Russia would transfer nuclear missile launch systems to Belarus under a nuclear-sharing agreement. This move has been criticised by the Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who stated that it "grossly contradicts the will of the Belarusian people".

The involvement of Belarus in the Russian invasion of Ukraine has drawn condemnation from Western countries, resulting in sanctions being imposed by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan. Despite this, Lukashenko has maintained close ties with Russia and has been accused of stealing elections, crushing dissent, and dismantling democracy in Belarus.

In summary, Belarus's reliance on and deference to Russia, coupled with its support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have contributed to the perception of Belarus as a puppet state of Russia.

Belarus has been accused of human rights violations and persecution of journalists, non-governmental organisations, minorities and opposition politicians

Belarus has been accused of human rights violations and persecution of journalists, non-governmental organisations, minorities, and opposition politicians. The country has been described as "Europe's last dictatorship" by Western countries, and its president, Alexander Lukashenko, has described himself as having an "authoritarian ruling style".

The government has been criticised for its suppression of dissent, with freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly severely curtailed. Religious minorities face discrimination, and the justice system has been abused to suppress opposition. Torture, ill-treatment, and death sentences are prevalent, and the country is the only one in Europe that continues to use capital punishment.

The rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly are severely restricted in Belarus. The government has cracked down on independent civil society organisations, NGOs, professional organisations, and ethnic and religious communities. All 12 parties opposed to the government were refused re-registration and dissolved ahead of the 2024 elections. Arbitrary charges of "extremism" have been used to close civil society organisations, and individuals have been arrested for "financing extremist activities or organisations".

The government has also targeted journalists and independent media outlets. In May 2021, the top news site tut.by, which was read by around 40% of internet users in Belarus, was blocked, and several of its journalists were detained. In July 2021, the registrations of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Press Club Belarus, and the Belarusian branch of writers' PEN center were revoked.

The persecution of lawyers defending victims of politically motivated prosecution is also common. According to a human rights group, at least 10 lawyers have been imprisoned, and more than 100 have been disbarred or refused an extension of their license in retaliation for performing their professional duties.

Minority groups, including religious and ethnic minorities, have also faced discrimination and persecution in Belarus. Religious organisations have been required to undergo re-registration or face closure, and there have been reports of repression against Catholic priests and the New Life Protestant Church. In 2020, the government pressed major religious groups after they condemned violence during mass protests, and in 2021, the authorities organised an "All-Belarus prayer", convincing all confessions to make a prayer, while Lukashenko tried to stop the performance of the religious song "The Almighty God".

In addition, members of the Belarusian-speaking minority have complained about discrimination against the Belarusian language in the country, despite it being an official state language alongside Russian. There have also been reports of ethnic discrimination, with applicants for government jobs being required to state their nationality and provide information about their family and close relatives. This has been cited as evidence of state antisemitism in the region.

The human rights violations in Belarus have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community. The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan have imposed sanctions on the country, and Belarus has been barred from membership in the Council of Europe since 1997 due to undemocratic voting and election irregularities.

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