Belarus has been taken 'hostage' by Russia: Belarusian opposition spokesperson

The government in Belarus has supported Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine by providing weapons, military bases and logistical support.

But this week’s DW Conflict Zone guest, opposition spokesperson Franak Viacorka, doubts that support will go much further, saying Belarus' authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko "is really afraid" of sending Belarusian troops to Ukraine.

Viacorka told host Biresh Banerjee that Lukashenko understands troops could defect and turn against him, elites would split, a new wave of protests could erupt, and all this could cost him power.

Viacorka, who is the main advisor to opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, described Lukashenko as a "dog on a leash" and said Vladimir Putin is trying to "shorten this leash as much as possible" with the intention of creating a "puppet regime" in Minsk.