The presidential elections in Belarus were not fair, and the USA and Poland “support the Belarusian people”. This was stated by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a joint press conference with Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputovich. 

“The elections were not free and were not fair ... Today we discussed a common goal - to support the Belarusian people in their aspiration to gain sovereignty and freedom. These people who go out to protests, they strive to defend their right to choose, ”said the head of the American Foreign Ministry.  

Recall that on August 9, presidential elections were held in Belarus, in which, according to the Central Election Commission of the republic, the current head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, won with 80.1% of the vote. After that, protest actions began throughout the country, who did not agree with this result. 

The head of the US State Department also supported the release of the detained protesters and called on the official Minsk to start negotiations with the protesters. 

“We call on the Belarusian authorities to start a dialogue with the Belarusian society,” Pompeo said, noting that the development of events in the republic causes concern.

He also added that Washington is discussing with its European partners the situation that has developed in Belarus in order to help the country's citizens achieve "sovereignty and freedom."
In addition, Pompeo discussed with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki a "solidarity response" to the events in Belarus.

According to experts, earlier the United States planned to “gently involve Lukashenka in the anti-Russian game”, giving him a pro-Western vector, as well as “divorce” him from China. It was not without reason that last year, John Bolton, who was then the adviser to the President of the United States on national security, visited Minsk, recalled in an interview with RT political scientist, associate professor of the philosophy faculty of Moscow State University Boris Mezhuev.

“Pompeo hoped that this turn would be continued, and the accusations against Russia that it was she who was behind the discontent and unrest would continue. However, this did not happen, so now he has no choice but to make such joint statements with the Prime Minister of Poland, ”Mezhuev said. 

"Attempts to maneuver"

In turn, the Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, against the background of the visit of the US Secretary of State to Poland, said that the republic has a constitutional government and does not need any “mediation” from other states. 

  • Protest action in Minsk
  • Reuters
  • © Vasily Fedosenko

“Listen, we have a normal government created by the Constitution. We don't need any foreign governments, no intermediaries. It seems to me that without offending the leadership of these republics, I want to say: you put things in order at your place, ”Lukashenka said. 

Let us remind you that on August 11, during a visit to Riga, Polish Foreign Minister Chaputovich said that the countries of the so-called Lublin Triangle, which includes Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine, are ready to “facilitate dialogue” between the Belarusian authorities and protesters and take on the role of mediator in the negotiations. 

On August 13, Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak also spoke about some kind of "mediation" in the negotiation process with the participation of Poland and Lithuania. 

“This is a joint initiative of Poland and Lithuania - readiness to act as mediators in negotiations (between the authorities and the opposition). It was expressed by the presidents of the two states. There is also an initiative sent to the EU by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, it concerns the holding of a meeting of the European Council dedicated to the situation in Belarus, "Interfax quotes him. 

From the point of view of Boris Mezhuev, Poland, Lithuania, some Northern European states and shadow forces within the American establishment are trying to intervene in the events now taking place in Belarus in order to ultimately "push Russia and the West".  

“Attempts to maneuver, play on contradictions, involve third forces in this conflict, can result in a rather dangerous clash. The use of violence against the protesters, the holding of "dishonest elections", the denial of the country's sovereignty in the name of Russia - all this will be brought against Lukashenko by the USA, Poland, Lithuania, the countries of Northern Europe in the form of accusations, "Mezhuev explained. 

Military component  

It is worth noting that Alexander Lukashenko on August 15, commenting on the events in Belarus and related statements by officials of neighboring countries, also drew special attention to the build-up of the military contingent in Poland and Lithuania. 

“I am more worried about the situation that is unfolding on the territory of our neighboring states - Poland and Lithuania. As you know, there are military exercises of NATO troops. This would also be fine, but there is an escalation and a build-up of the armed component in these territories. Naturally, we cannot fail to see this, calmly observe it, ”the BelTA news agency quoted the President of Belarus as saying.  

Recall that on the same day, during their visit to Poland, Mike Pompeo and the head of the Ministry of Defense of the republic, Mariusz Blaszczak, signed an agreement on strengthening military cooperation between Warsaw and Washington. 

"As a result of the signing of the treaty in Poland, not only will there be more US soldiers and American military infrastructure, but the guarantee that in case of danger the soldiers of Poland and the US will stand shoulder to shoulder and protect Poland from any threat," TASS quoted President of the Republic Andrzej Duda , who attended the signing ceremony.  

As part of this document, an advanced command of the 5th corps of the US Army will be created in Poland, which will lead the American armed forces on the eastern flank of NATO. Also, the agreement provides for the deployment of another 1,000 US troops in Poland and a further increase in the American contingent.

It is worth recalling here that the other day US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper openly stated that the United States is moving American army units closer to Russian borders to "contain" Moscow.

In this context, political analysts note, the current statements by Washington regarding the situation in Belarus should be viewed as an attempt by the United States to "tear" Minsk from Moscow and thereby finally "separate Russia from Western Europe."

“A number of European countries may not want to sever ties, primarily economic ones, with Russia, refuse its energy resources, assistance, including in neutralizing COVID-19 or any other threat. And that is why the US Secretary of State is now once again trying in every possible way to embroil Russia and Europe over Belarus, forcing a number of European politicians to make harsh, resonant statements, "said Alexei Mukhin, general director of the Political Information Center, in a conversation with RT.  

In his opinion, the statements that are now coming from the United States and Poland are "a direct form of interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state."  

“The situation is aggravated by the fact that Belarus is part of the Union State with Russia. This means that these countries are trying to interfere in the internal affairs of the union state, including the Russian Federation. To openly conflict with a nuclear power, with a powerful army that has just resolved the situation in Syria is too much. However, Washington understands that another conflict in Europe will lead to a deepening crisis in this area, weakening the EU economy, which plays into the hands of the White House, ”the expert concluded.