Dorcha Lee: Could Belarus be drawn into the Russo-Ukrainian conflict?
Taoiseach Michael Martin meeting with Belarusian democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at Government Buildings in Dublin last month. Photo: Julien Behal Photography/PA Wire
As the Belarus Opposition Leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, did the rounds recently of capitals seeking support for free and fair elections in her country, Ireland was always high on her list.
As a ‘Chernobyl kid’ she had come to Ireland sponsored by Adi Roche’s charity organisation and stayed with an Irish host family in Roscrea, Co Tipperary. She returned again several times. This time the ‘homecoming’ was serious. She was looking for support, essentially for the EU to increase sanctions on President Lukashenko’s regime, and modest practical help for the Opposition itself.
