Belarus is going through its deepest crisis which will change the country, and conceivably the wider region, for this is no longer solely about Belarus. It has acquired a geopolitical dimension: Vladimir Putin of Russia has, for the moment at least, thrown Lukashenka a lifeline. Putin will expect much in return.

This meeting will look at what happens next in conversation with the principal players from the movement arraigned against the regime. Will the country become more democratic or more authoritarian? What will be the long-term consequences of Russia’s involvement in the crisis? How does the Belarusian democratic movement see the role of Russia and the West?

Speakers:

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaja - Leader of the Belarus Democracy Movement

Pavel Latushka - Member of the Board of the Coordination Council

Franak Viachorka - Foreign Policy Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaja

James Nixey (Chair), Director, Russia-Eurasia and Europe Programmes, Chatham House