Will Wagner pull Belarus into the war in Ukraine? Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Interview

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian opposition movement has told DW the presence of the Wagner group leader in her country is a threat to the security of Europe and Belarus' independence.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was speaking following the arrival of Yevgeny Prigozhin to Belarus after a deal was struck between the country's leader, Alexander Lukashenko, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Ms. Tsikhanouskaya told DW's Alexandra von Nahmen she's worried it could drag Belarus into the war in Ukraine.

She said: "Lukashenko is fully loyal to Putin, he will fulfill all the orders of Putin. And if let's imagine Putin gives Lukashenko the order to get rid of Prigozhin, he will do this."

The Belarusian opposition leader added that NATO should react to Russia transporting its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus.



She told us: "I would like the West to be more concerned than they are at the moment. I still feel that the democratic world is keeping silent about the deployment of nuclear weapon in Belarus. I'm not sure if even the part of this weapon is already in our country, but of course it's a huge threat for our sovereignty. So that's why I really want this topic of deployment of nuclear weapon to be more discussed, at the NATO summit, on national levels, in UN structures."

Ms. Tsikhanouskaya's interview came as she met key figures in Brussels, including the European Council President Charles Michel.

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[deecee]

"I DONT NEED AMMO I NEED A RIDE!!! HURRY!!!" - Vladimir Putin

[Rich]

Good interview with the elected leader of Belarus

[NiklasAndersson]

Putin on television: "Everything is going according to plan". Next program: "Swan lake"

[you-know-who]

Svetlana T . is an extremely courageous woman and political leader . Time will work in favour of change of regime. Current regime is only buying time.

[wsteele]

I believe Wagner has been moved to Belarus (under the guise of exile) to act as the steel nerve for the Belarus army's move on Kyiv from the north. What Putin needs to ponder though is what happens if Lukashenko and Prigozhin decide it would be easier to take Moscow than Kyiv (which it clearly would be). Also a much more lucrative end game.

[JunoDiovonaDemihof]

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya smart, clever, inteligent, brava!!!

[Kohen]

Terrorists are being eliminated, victory be to the heroes of Ukraine +

[catherineandpaulfuters]

Thank you for your coverage, more please.
🇪🇺🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦🇬🇧

[surgio]

That is why Prigozhin is in Belarus now, to create a Northern front and to take control from Lucashenko

[CIS]

Will this nightmare ever end ? I want to see this opposition leaders elected once, and for all.

[teggsy]

Belarus is already taken over by Russia without firing a single shot infact Belarus was used to launch the War from the so called training mission Russian troops thought they were on till they were then tricked into marching into Ukraine.

[grumpy]

Belarus is Prigozhin's now. Just wait and see Lukashenko will be taken out soon.

[philipstrachan]

I can't imagine the regular Belarus army being very happy with the arrangement.

[peterpunch]

Great to see and hear from (ST) ..elected Prime Minister of Belarus..!

[johnny_b_ill]

Right now is the time for Belarusian people to stand up. Putin is in no position to help suppress a popular uprising.

[waynegore]

That lady should return to Belarus, but she dare not. That tells you everything.

[acnhtourneypirate]

Wagner is going to attack Kyiv from Belarus, and Lukashenko will say “Look everyone! Ukraine is attacking us! We are now going to War with them!” and will most probably use the tactical Nukes in Ukraine, as an escape goat for Russia.

[RobertSeviour]

This was for me a very impressive interview, both the presenter and Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya are well informed, intelligent women and put forth their views coherently. I wish more coverage of the Ukraine war was of such a high standard. CNN and BBC take note.

[stanleykubrick]

Sviatlana speaks with a clarity that is a threat to Lukashenko's fog. You can't have it all, people; decide what you want and act on it.

[Arch]

This lady seems like a very intelligent human, it is a shame she isn't the Belarussian president. The country could have gone far with her at the helm.