Abstract
Executive Summary
- Belarus’ geopolitical position as Russia’s close ally on the borders of the EU means that the West has a vested interest in ensuring a democratic outcome for the crisis that has gripped the country for over six months.
- While economic sanctions are a highly effective mechanism of putting pressure on the Lukashenka regime, they need to be complemented by efforts to support civil society based on a nuanced understanding of prevalent social and political attitudes.
- Belarus has a complex relationship with its Soviet past, which underpins many of the current attitudes, and failure to take this into account when devising engagement strategies risks alienating broader sections of society.
- Belarus’ geopolitical position as Russia’s close ally on the borders of the EU means that the West has a vested interest in ensuring a democratic outcome for the crisis that has gripped the country for over six months.
- While economic sanctions are a highly effective mechanism of putting pressure on the Lukashenka regime, they need to be complemented by efforts to support civil society based on a nuanced understanding of prevalent social and political attitudes.
- Belarus has a complex relationship with its Soviet past, which underpins many of the current attitudes, and failure to take this into account when devising engagement strategies risks alienating broader sections of society.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Specialist publication | History & Policy |
| Publication status | Published - 5 Mar 2021 |
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