Andrei Sannikov: The Idea Of "Finlandization" Of Belarus Is Not Just Nonsense, But A Pro-Russian Provocation
- 24.10.2025, 22:36
The future of our country is in NATO.
Blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski suggested "Finlandization" of Belarus during his speech in the European Parliament. Allegedly, our country should become a neutral bridge between Europe and Russia.
Does Belarus really need to look at the experience of Finland during the Cold War? The site Charter97.org turned for a comment to the leader of the civil campaign "European Belarus" Andrei Sannikov:
- I am glad that Siarhei was released, I am glad that he is safe today, but I do not take such statements of his seriously, because, in my opinion, he is manipulated by people who do not arouse trust, who are trying to usurp the agenda on Belarus and pursue a very harmful policy for our country.
This "Finlandization" is not the first time this group is saying this. They have been voicing it constantly since 2020: "Finlandization" of Belarus, neutrality. It's not just nonsense, it's a pro-Russian provocation and undermining of our national interests. Belarus has already been "Finlandized" by Putin and Lukashenko. Belarus is in the same condition as Finland during the Cold War, i.e. subordinated to the Eastern imperial madman and can't move anywhere.
So I wouldn't blame Tikhanovsky for this nonsense. They are trying to build him into the system of the Lithuanian protected object not without success, and the interests of Belarus in this scheme are on the very distant fringes.
- Not so long ago, a collection published by the European Belarus Foundation under the title "Belarus in NATO" was published. Why should our country become a part of the North Atlantic Alliance?
- Only NATO guarantees security and independence, sovereignty, freedom and democracy of Belarus. It is strange that this still has to be explained. The choice between Russia and Europe is a choice between slavery and independent existence as an independent state in Europe.
If earlier it was possible to talk about some kind of neutrality, today it is not even necessary to remember about it, because no neutrality will not ensure independent existence of Belarus, the more so it will simply be prohibitively expensive. The same Finland and especially Sweden held on to their dear sovereignty for a long time, believing that membership in the European Union was enough to ensure their security, but as soon as they started shooting, they immediately rushed to NATO.
I am pleased with the fact that this collection "Belarus in NATO" was published, which gathered authoritative experts from different countries, from neighboring countries, including former ministers and the current EU Commissioner for Defense. I am pleased that the experts are very optimistic about Belarus' chances for NATO membership, for liberation from Russian pressure, for liberation from dictatorship. NATO is not a fantasy, I would say that it is a plan of action that Belarus will have to implement, hopefully in the near future.
- Why are such proposals as "Finlandization of Belarus" being launched today? Is it incompetence? Is it incompetence?
- I think that here, apart from incompetence, we can't do without the influence of special services, which are abundantly embedded in the entourage of those groups that promote these ideas. I repeat - this is not the first time. Such statements certainly work for Russia and paint a scenario of Belarus' complete dependence on Russia. In general, there is no difference with Lukashenko's policy, just the words are different, sly.
This insistent emphasis, "we should become members of the European Union, but not NATO", "we need neutrality" is a break from reality for the benefit of Russia.
- Journalist and political prisoner Andrzej Poczobut was awarded the Andrei Sakharov Prize "For Freedom of Thought", awarded by the European Parliament. What significance does this award have for Belarusians and the struggle for freedom?
- I am very happy for Andrzej. He is a patriot of Belarus, he is a man who has long proved his commitment to the independence of our country. It's not the first time he's been imprisoned, but this time he was put away for a long time and charged with some ridiculous and completely ridiculous accusations that he told about the figures of the anti-Bolshevik underground. The irony is that with this verdict, the regime flogged itself and confessed its Bolshevism.
I am, of course, very happy that he was awarded this prize. He deserves it more than anyone else, but he is behind bars and I am very worried about his health, because we hear Lukashenko lying about him. We're not used to it, but the lies that Andrzej refuses to give up something, that he keeps insisting that he can be in prison is a despicable lie. Nevertheless, more or less true information about his health has been reaching us, and it is alarming. I would very much like to hug Andrzej and congratulate him on his award already on the outside. He is one of the anchors of free and independent Belarus.
- Envoy of Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, will visit Belarus on October 25-26. What to expect from this visit?
- Gugerotti is a very experienced and influential politician. Unfortunately, I cannot classify him as a friend of free Belarus. Let's remember that Guggerotti was Apostolic Nuncio in Belarus in 2011-2015 and liked Lukashenko so much that he was awarded the Order of Francis Skaryna. After the events of the 20th, when none of the Western diplomats and officials came to Belarus, there were no relations, Gugerotti came on a visit, trying to break this blockade. One can also recall that Gugerotti visited political prisoners, but his visits did not lead to the release, but led to the strengthening of Lukashenko's regime and clearly pursued the goal of Lukashenko's legalization in the international arena. It was Gugerotti who helped Lukashenko remove Metropolitan Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz from the leadership of the Minsk-Mogilev diocese.
Cardinal Gugerotti also served as apostolic nuncio to Ukraine after Belarus and was noted for his disparaging remarks about the Ukrainian state.
It is possible that Claudio Gugerotti will make some kind of gesture toward the political prisoners, but it appears that he is coming to help the dictator. This will be a rather alarming visit. I very much hope that he has coordinated his actions with Pope Leo XIV, who, unlike his predecessor, pays great attention to freedom and human rights.