Ondřej Ditrych interviewed by Der Standard
marianna.liana…
Tue, 07/07/2026 – 16:18
“Lukashenko’s goal is to remain in power. As long as he sees Russia as the guarantor of that power, he will ultimately submit to its will,” remarked Ondřej Ditrych in Der Standard (in German).
The Belarusian leader would have nothing to gain from becoming directly involved in the war against Ukraine, however, argued Ondrej, and it would also be a risk for Russia to draw Belarus into the war.
According to Ondrej, the Kremlin currently benefits more from having a vassal state at its side than from a country that has to defend itself against Ukrainian attacks. “Especially one that hosts nuclear weapons,” he noted.
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