How did you find out about IIRPS VU? And why did you choose to study Eastern European and Russian studies?

It sounds odd, but I found out about the institute walking through Vokiečių street. My attention was drawn by the Ukrainian and the Belarusian national flag on the institute’s façade. I was curious and started to surf the information about the institution. And the Eastern European and Russian studies program drew my attention as it’s a unique chance to dive comprehensively and multidimensionally into the issues related to our region. I sincerely believe that Eastern European and Russian studies are the most up-to-date and pertinent programs in International relations in our unstable and fragile area, torn by the war in Ukraine and dictatorships’ atrocities in Russia and Belarus. To resolve the region’s problems, we should have a complex, thorough understanding of the picture, and this program provides this understanding, which can be applied to restore peace, security and prosperity in our region.

Moreover, these times are hard and tough not only for the region but for me personally. I am a Belarussian who suffered repression and political violence in 2020-2021. And till February 2022, I lived in Ukraine with my wife, a Ukrainian national. In addition to the repressions from the dictatorship regime, I faced the war and the appaling fact that my country (Belarus) became an aggressor against the country where I peacefully lived with my wife (Ukraine). What can be worse than the second refugedom in a few years?

Hence, I determined that the crisis and tragic times are the best for education and self-development. When all your previous life and daily routine were destroyed by autocrats and war criminals, all that is left is to invest in your studies, gain new knowledge and acquaint new people from all over the world.

You came to Lithuania from Belarus; what was the breaking point that made you leave your country?

As I already mentioned, firstly, I moved from Belarus to Ukraine. 2020 was a challenging and incredible year. It witnessed the pandemic, sparking protest movements, revolt, repression, and reprisals in Belarus. I have been working as an editor and a journalist for several years at the Belarusian independent media, which is quite a harrowing experience.

Before the 2020 presidential elections, our media had anticipated brutal defeat and repressions. It was evident that our work was at risk and that we wouldn’t be able to work in peace under political repression. But it was crucially important for us to continue the activity of our media despite blocking, detentions and political pressure so that the world and Belarusians could continuously receive the latest breaking news about events in Belarus and evaluate the essence of ongoing events.

To continue consistent and stable media activities under Internet blocking and detentions, I went to Ukraine and took responsibility for posting news on the website and coordinating actions with colleagues over the phone. Then, in the days of protests, when the Internet was blocked in Belarus, I took responsibility and worked alone on filling the website and social networks. The site’s readership and social media groups were hundreds of thousands of people. It was a tough, significant and responsible challenge. I was face-to-face with hundreds of thousands of readers. Our media continued to work properly even on the most violent days when my colleagues were being shot or detained. We provided the Belarusian and foreign audiences with a complete picture of the ongoing situation in Belarus under severely limited resources.

As I understood and realised that the political atrocities and repressions in Belarus would be lasting, I started to build a new life in Ukraine, but the war was a new black swan, which made me move abroad for the second time.

You were a journalist for the influential independent Belarusian media; why you became a journalist? What are the hardest or the most dangerous aspects of your job?

For several years I have been a journalist and editor in the media, writing articles and news on social and political issues. I deliberately went into journalism at one time because of one main motive. It was to change the world around me for the better. For me, journalism was a way of influencing the local environment and sometimes even national or global levels.

But journalism has a significant drawback. During times of crisis (like war, repression, atrocities, prosecution), a bulk of lousy and horrid information passes through your mind. Living in constant stress and fear leads to severe professional burnout. That is why I decided to leave journalism, concentrate more on my studies and find a new job either at NGO / think tank or in the business sector.

You significantly contribute to the fight for independence and democratisation; what motivates you the most?

Two things motivate me chiefly. Firstly, tens of thousands of political prisoners in Belarus sacrificed their freedom. The impact and contribution of these people to democratisation were much more considerable than mine. My colleagues, relatives, and friends are still jailed, and their bravery, courage and heroism fuel our will and struggle for independence and democratisation.

I realise that today, Belarus-related topics are peripheral and nonessential compared with the Ukraine tragedy. That is totally understandable that all attention now is paid to Ukraine. But for me, repressions and crackdowns in Belarus and the aggressive war against Ukraine are links in a chain. And the leading cause of these tragic affairs is the only one — Russian neo-colonialism and imperialism. That is a familiar foe of all our nations.

Secondly, what motivates me is the lavish and impressive way of solidarity from abroad. I am kindly and heartily grateful to Lithuania for its assertive, value-based attitude and support. The democratisation of Belarus, the victory of Ukraine in the war, the strengthening of the security and role of Lithuania in the region, and the future demilitarisation and democratisation of Russia are interconnected issues that should be considered comprehensively.

What would you like to wish the IIRPS VU community?

We should be more active and assertive in pushing our agenda related to the situation in Eastern Europe. We better understand Russian imperialism and security-related issues in the region, and we should spread our insights among Westerners.