Overview of 174. Taking On Europe's Last Dictator: The Fight Against Lukashenko and Putin
This episode of The Rest is Politics (hosts Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell) features an interview with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya — the 2020 Belarusian opposition leader and head of a government-in-exile — discussing Belarus’s struggle against Alexander Lukashenko, the country’s deepening ties to Russia, the 2020 uprising, international support, and the broader implications for Ukraine and Europe.
Who is Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
- Former schoolteacher and political newcomer who became the opposition candidate after her husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, was barred from running and later imprisoned.
- Regarded by the democratic movement as the 2020 president-elect of Belarus; now leads a government-in-exile based in the Baltics.
- Her public emergence followed mass protests after the disputed 2020 election; she and many activists were forced into exile.
Key themes and main takeaways
- Lukashenko’s rule: 30+ years of authoritarian control built on corruption, fear, and a personal security apparatus. He presents himself as “the last dictator of Europe.”
- Belarus–Russia relationship: Lukashenko is deeply pro-Russian; Belarus functions as a strategic and material support base for Russia’s war against Ukraine (military production, logistics, sanction evasion).
- 2020 uprising: Belarusians mobilized around democratic change; Tsikhanouskaya and her movement have proof that Lukashenko lost the vote. Resistance continues despite repression.
- Government-in-exile achievements: Building alternative institutions, keeping opposition unity, establishing missions abroad, engaging with EU/US/UK/Canada, and sustaining media and human-rights work on limited resources.
- European future: Tsikhanouskaya wants Belarus oriented toward Europe and sees historical and cultural ties to Europe; she stresses preparation and reforms for any future EU integration.
- Ukraine and the democratic fight: Victory for Ukraine is framed as essential for the democratic world, not just territorial integrity — a failure would encourage further Russian aggression.
- Realism on Lukashenko: She and the hosts are skeptical that Lukashenko can be separated from Putin or turned away from Russia; both regimes mutually reinforce each other.
On Lukashenko’s rule — specifics
- Consolidated power since the 1990s, undermining national identity and democratic institutions.
- Profits from and facilitates Russia’s military aims (equipment, logistics), and helps Russian efforts to dodge sanctions.
- Uses extreme repression, including imprisonment and exile of opponents and activists.
International support and the government-in-exile
- Tsikhanouskaya says much has been achieved despite no state backing: formalized relationships with the EU and strategic dialogue with the US, Canada and UK; missions and democratic networks abroad.
- She believes more can and should be done by the international community to increase pressure and support civil society inside Belarus.
- The movement emphasizes reintroducing Belarusian national identity to the world and keeping the opposition visible.
Vision for Belarus and the EU
- Tsikhanouskaya sees Belarus historically and culturally aligned with Europe and aspires for eventual EU membership or strong integration with European structures.
- Acknowledges EU enlargement complications and stresses that Belarus must undergo reforms and transformations to be ready for such a path.
On Ukraine, Russia and global stakes
- Tsikhanouskaya frames the Ukraine war as a test of democratic values and transatlantic unity; she argues a Ukrainian defeat would signal broader vulnerability for other countries.
- She believes change in Belarus could catalyze change in Russia, not vice versa.
- She rejects the idea of appeasing autocrats as effective: concessions only embolden authoritarian expansion.
Personal anecdotes and human side
- Tsikhanouskaya recounted her childhood experience in Ireland as part of a Chernobyl relief program, an eye-opening contrast that shaped her belief in a European standard of living and dignity.
- She described the psychological burden of stepping into politics: constant fear for her jailed husband, her children, and for supporters — but also the responsibility to lead.
Hosts’ wrap-up and broader context
- The hosts compare her story with other dissident figures discussed in the series (e.g., Bill Browder, Yulia Navalnaya), noting similar patterns of ordinary or atypical individuals thrust into leadership roles by authoritarian repression.
- They discuss geopolitics at Davos, the limits and impacts of sanctions, commodity-price effects on authoritarian states, and the uncertainty of Western responses (including to Trump-era dynamics).
- The conversation highlights dilemmas: whether to isolate dictators or try to engage; the efficacy of sanctions vs. economic shifts; and the role of multilateral institutions in protecting smaller nations.
Notable quotes (paraphrased)
- “Lukashenko is proud to be the last dictator of Europe.”
- “Belarus has rediscovered itself — people felt unity and dignity in 2020.”
- “Ukraine must win — this is a victory for the democratic world, not just territories.”
- “You cannot split Lukashenko from Putin — they need and enable each other.”
Implications / recommended actions (what listeners, policymakers or supporters should know)
- Continue and deepen international political and moral support for the Belarusian democratic movement and civil society.
- Maintain coordinated sanctions and measures aimed at disrupting Belarus’s role in Russia’s war machine (trade, banking, military production).
- Support channels that preserve Belarusian identity, media, human-rights documentation, and institutions-in-exile to sustain long-term political alternatives.
- Recognize the strategic link between the future of Belarus, the outcome in Ukraine, and wider European security; build multilateral protections for smaller states.
Conclusion
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s interview articulates the resilience of Belarus’s democratic movement, the entrenched and mutually reinforcing relationship between Lukashenko and Putin, and the high stakes for Europe if authoritarian aggression goes unchecked. The episode is both a personal testimony and a call for sustained, coordinated international engagement.