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"On Point"
MINSK, 22 January (BelTA) – Belarus remains a bulwark of stability, but its stance toward global events is evolving. Now is the time for it to demonstrate to European countries how to live, Elena Ponomareva, Doctor of Political Science, Professor at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), said in the latest episode of the V Teme [On Point] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.
For many years, Belarus has remained a zone of stability and security on the Eurasian continent. However, the situation beyond the country’s borders also influences its perception of many events. “The ability and possibility to ensure the safe and secure dialogue platforms, when we speak about international politics, do not change. Naturally, the security of its own citizens. This has remained unchanged for decades. At the same time, the approach to assessing ongoing events and the participants in these events is changing. Moreover, I would assess this change as being in the right format. There may be tough rhetoric, strong condemnation of a particular action, but a readiness to continue dialogue with various countries. This is a constant openness,” the expert noted.
Elena Ponomareva emphasized that Belarus’ pursuit of diplomatic resolution for various conflicts is one of the country's signature features. “Belarus always says: 'Let's talk.' It's like in a family. When the parents realize that their kid grows into a teenager, a completely different person from the other side of the river, completely unreasonable, and yet a wise parent will find a way to connect with this new person. The same goes for Belarusian politicians, including, of course, first and foremost the Belarusian president: like a wise parent, they try to do something with these unruly teenagers, to take some action to bring them to reason. But at the same time, we see the strengthening dialogue positions in terms of the strategic security of resources,” the expert said. “This is also a very important point that strengthens the position, as political scientists would say, the subjecthood and agency of modern Belarus. So, the country must continue in this spirit.”
In addition to the dialogue of Belarusian politicians in international organizations, representatives from the country's humanitarian domain also exert influence abroad. “This is done not only in public domain but also under conditions of such interlocking, where representatives of different structures and fields, from journalists to cultural figures and scholars, also tackle various tasks. They document, uncover new opportunities, open eyes, and so on,” the political scientist noted.
She recounted how at one of the international conferences held in Minsk last year, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented figures and video evidence of what is happening on the country’s border with its European neighbors. “In the autumn, I attended not only the plenary session but also one of the panel discussions led by the minister of foreign affairs of Belarus, specifically regarding migrants who cross or attempt to cross the Belarusian border, and about what the Poles and the Baltic limitrophe states are doing at the border, among other things. You know, it was a shock for many people who heard and saw it, and a film in English was shown. There are brutal regimes beyond Belarus’ borders! And people are learning about it. This, too, is a platform for influence, for changing perceptions, because the kind of people who attend such events aren't random people off the street. They are those who have the ability to disseminate this information. I would say they are like amateur intelligence gatherers who find out what is really happening, and then through their media, lectures, and meetings with politicians, they tell and show all of this. Belarus is successfully handling this. I know that there are quite a few platforms of this kind. Of course, we need to expand scientific cooperation as well, but in such a way that Belarus truly becomes the initiator of ideas and narratives, not like it used to be. I remember, primarily with the example of the Russian Federation: these scholarly 'gonzos' would come and start teaching us how to live, telling us how pathetic and unfortunate we all are, while over there is the real life. Well, now it's our time to teach them how to live,” Elena Ponomareva emphasized.
Elena Ponomareva emphasized that Belarus’ pursuit of diplomatic resolution for various conflicts is one of the country's signature features. “Belarus always says: 'Let's talk.' It's like in a family. When the parents realize that their kid grows into a teenager, a completely different person from the other side of the river, completely unreasonable, and yet a wise parent will find a way to connect with this new person. The same goes for Belarusian politicians, including, of course, first and foremost the Belarusian president: like a wise parent, they try to do something with these unruly teenagers, to take some action to bring them to reason. But at the same time, we see the strengthening dialogue positions in terms of the strategic security of resources,” the expert said. “This is also a very important point that strengthens the position, as political scientists would say, the subjecthood and agency of modern Belarus. So, the country must continue in this spirit.”
In addition to the dialogue of Belarusian politicians in international organizations, representatives from the country's humanitarian domain also exert influence abroad. “This is done not only in public domain but also under conditions of such interlocking, where representatives of different structures and fields, from journalists to cultural figures and scholars, also tackle various tasks. They document, uncover new opportunities, open eyes, and so on,” the political scientist noted.
She recounted how at one of the international conferences held in Minsk last year, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented figures and video evidence of what is happening on the country’s border with its European neighbors. “In the autumn, I attended not only the plenary session but also one of the panel discussions led by the minister of foreign affairs of Belarus, specifically regarding migrants who cross or attempt to cross the Belarusian border, and about what the Poles and the Baltic limitrophe states are doing at the border, among other things. You know, it was a shock for many people who heard and saw it, and a film in English was shown. There are brutal regimes beyond Belarus’ borders! And people are learning about it. This, too, is a platform for influence, for changing perceptions, because the kind of people who attend such events aren't random people off the street. They are those who have the ability to disseminate this information. I would say they are like amateur intelligence gatherers who find out what is really happening, and then through their media, lectures, and meetings with politicians, they tell and show all of this. Belarus is successfully handling this. I know that there are quite a few platforms of this kind. Of course, we need to expand scientific cooperation as well, but in such a way that Belarus truly becomes the initiator of ideas and narratives, not like it used to be. I remember, primarily with the example of the Russian Federation: these scholarly 'gonzos' would come and start teaching us how to live, telling us how pathetic and unfortunate we all are, while over there is the real life. Well, now it's our time to teach them how to live,” Elena Ponomareva emphasized.
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