In this episode, we speak with Tatsiana Khomich, the sister of Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava. Tatsiana was part of Viktar Babaryka’s 2020 campaign team and remains an active member of his team in exile. After leaving Belarus, she became a human rights advocate and one of the leading international voices for political prisoners.

We talk about the recent release of 14 political prisoners — including the husband of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya — following the visit of U.S. Presidential Envoy Gen. Keith Kellogg. While cautious, this development offers a glimmer of hope for progress in Belarus’s deepening human rights crisis.

We also explore the current state of U.S.–Belarus dialogue, the ongoing repression inside the country, and what EU member states can do to support the release of those still behind bars.

Sign the petition to support political prisoners: https://releasenow.org

Follow Tatsiana's social media:

https://x.com/TatsianaKhomich

https://www.instagram.com/tatsiana_khomich/

In the latest episode of Belarus Factor, Ivan Kravtsov engages in a sharp, insightful conversation with Kamil Klysinski, Senior Fellow at the Center for Eastern Studies (OSW) in Warsaw, who has spent nearly 20 years analyzing Belarusian politics. They dive straight into the geopolitical game: Belarus seems sidelined in critical peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, despite its pivotal position in the conflict.

Klysinski delivers a striking message—"everything is on the table," yet Belarus struggles to find a seat. This episode unpacks Lukashenko’s eroding autonomy, intensifying dependence on Russia, and how Western sanctions are reshaping Belarus' political and economic landscape.

Is there room left for pragmatic diplomacy, or is Belarus trapped in political isolation?

Discover more from Kamil Klysinski on his OSW Think Tank profile:

https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/eksperci/kamil-klysinski

In this episode of Belarus Factor, host Ivan Kravtsov is joined by Dmitry Podolinsky, a seasoned strategic consultant with deep expertise in post-Soviet politics. Together, they dissect the shifting dynamics of global power, from the impact of Trump’s foreign policy and the Russo-Ukrainian war to Europe’s economic stagnation and the evolving role of Belarus in regional security.

As international negotiations unfold, what position does Belarus truly hold? Is Lukashenko maneuvering for greater autonomy, or is Minsk sinking deeper into Moscow’s orbit? Can the Belarusian opposition influence these high-stakes talks? And is the world heading toward a new era where Might is Right prevails once again?

Join us for a deep dive into geopolitics, diplomacy, and the uncertain future of Belarus.

🎧 Tune in now!

📲 Connect with Dmitry Podolinsky on Instagram: @dpodolinski