An archive photo
MINSK, 8 May (BelTA) – Belarus is ready for both dialogue and cooperation, national security expert Aleksandr Tishchenko told BelTA, commenting on the statement by Mindaugas Sinkevičius, leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, that Washington could take the initiative in organizing a trilateral political dialogue involving the USA, Lithuania, and Belarus.
Aleksandr Tishchenko pointed out that this statement is a veiled initiative from Lithuania. “In this way, Lithuania is essentially initiating a communication format through a third party – the United States. Apparently, this is how they are getting around the psychological barrier to solving the problems in their relations with us,” he said.
“Since this initiative is coming from the Lithuanian side in such a format, it suggests that Lithuania does, after all, miss its neighborly relations with Belarus. Friendship and good-neighborly ties with Belarus were beneficial for our European neighbor economically, politically, and in terms of tourism. Years of sanctions confrontation and [Lithuania’s] alignment with the general EU trend that creates problems out of thin air have certainly taken their toll. Yes, they are presented with a certain rosy picture regarding GDP and so on, but everyone understands that painting a picture is one thing, and living in reality is quite another,” the expert emphasized.
Aleksandr Tishchenko recalled that the position of the Belarusian side has been stated many times. “Belarus is ready for both dialogue and cooperation. We want to approach issues of good neighborliness in a normal, healthy way. As our president said, you do not get to choose your neighbors, they are from God. So, if Lithuania reaches out, we will be friends, build relations, and promote transit and other topics. Let it all work. It will benefit both the Belarusian and Lithuanian people. And, as I see it, the Americans as well,” he stressed.
According to the expert, Lithuania’s interest is evident in many areas. In particular, Belarusian transit used to be a major revenue driver for the Lithuanian budget. “It also played a significant role in keeping the ports busy. Now, many things are falling into decline. First, the railway, second, the seaport is deserted, and that means a loss of jobs. Additionally, there is the various transit-related infrastructure. There were great opportunities that were cut off without a second thought. And now they have to figure out how to get them back,” he noted.
Aleksandr Tishchenko has no doubt that relations can be restored. “If Lithuania is looking at its relations with Belarus with a long-term perspective, then why should we oppose it? Relations must be good neighborly, productive, and equal. All that is required from Lithuania is a small thing: they shouldn’t look down on Belarus with that sense of EU superiority. We are neighbors, we are equals. We once shared a common history, so what can prevent us from having a common future as well?” the expert said.
In a statement to the BNS news agency, Mindaugas Sinkevičius, leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania, outlined a hypothetical role for the United States in normalizing relations between Vilnius and Minsk. He emphasized: “The question that should be asked openly would sound like this: ‘What if the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump invited representatives from Lithuania and Belarus to Washington?’ Imagine a trilateral meeting taking place, followed by a proposal: ‘Would you perhaps like to have a bilateral meeting?’” At the same time, the politician is not sure that Lithuania would immediately accept such an initiative, but believes that participating in such a meeting is necessary.
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