“TALKING HEADS” ON STATE TELEVISION CHANNELS: WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE BROADCASTING MONITORING OF ANTI-BELARUSIAN PROPAGANDA

Andrei Yeliseyeu | May 2021 | Summary

This monitoring covers the weekly news programs Glavniy efir (Main Broadcast – Belarus Channel 1), Kontury (Contours – ONT), and Nedelya (The Week – STV) from August 16 to November 22, 2020. It serves as an analysis of commentary on po- litical and socio-economic events in Belarus as well as of political events in other countries if those stories reference the situation in Belarus.

The review does not include commentary on current Belarusian officials and dep- uties or heads of state enterprises. At the same time, commentary is given by employees of state educational and research institutions as well as foreign poli- ticians and officials if they evaluated events in Belarus. The review includes over 250 recordings, of which 98 are taken from Glavniy efir, 71 from Kontury, and 88 from Nedelya.

In most cases, commentary was exclusive and given either live or online. In rare cases, television channels used excerpts from programs aired previously (includ- ing those from foreign television channels) or read or posted excerpts from earlier statements.

Essentially, there were no alternative opinions that were at variance with the offi- cial interpretation of events aired on these television programs. A very particular selection of external commentators (with Belarusian representatives in the mi- nority) ensured regular promotion of anti-Western, anti-Ukrainian, and anti-Belar- usian propaganda messages and disinformation. CONTENTS

Editions of the program Glavniy efir: main 4 conclusions

Editions of the program Kontury: main 5 conclusions

Editions of the program Nedelya: main conclu- 7 sions

Nationality of commentators 9

Belarus Channel 1, editions of the news program Glavniy efir 10

Television channel ONT, editions of the new program Kontury 24

Television channel STV, editions of the program Nedelya 35 Editions of the program Glavniy efir: main conclusions

• Dominance of Russian and Ukrainian propagandists and public figures (66 comments out of 98).

During the period under review, less than a quarter of the comments were made by Belarusians. Most of the “expert” quotes and comments belonged to Russians and Ukrainians who interpreted the Belarusian events in their own way in full accordance with the main pro-Kremlin propaganda narratives in Belarus.

Noted are the rather frequent use (10 recordings) of statements and quotes by Russian diplomats, state and military leaders (Dmitry Mezentsev, Sergey Lavrov, Sergey Naryshkin, Valentina Matvienko, Oleg Morozov), and former and current Ukrainian politicians (Petr Simonenko, Mikhail Dobkin, Mykola Azarov, Renat Kuz- min).

Well-known pro-Kremlin propagandists and radio and television presenters (Vladimir Solovyov, Vladimir Kornilov, Sergey Mikheev, Roman Babayan, Armen Gasparyan, Alexander Sosnovsky, Dmitry Kulikov, Andrey Kondrashov, etc.) are widely represented. Most of these individuals did not appear on Glavniy efir until August 2020.

The main categories of Ukrainian citizens who served as commentators on so- cio-political topics, aside from political figures, were employees of the Institute of Ukrainian Politics (Ruslan Bortnik, Ruslan Bizyaev) and Ukrainian media spe- cialists and bloggers associated with pro-Russian media (Svetlana Kryukova, Olesya Medvedeva, Yuri Tkachev, Dmitry Vasilets).

• Frequent use of cultural figures (music composers, writers, etc.) and pro- Russian politicians from other countries.

Commentators from countries outside Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine on Belarus Channel 1 were marginal pro-Russian politicians in foreign countries (Ivo Hristov from Bulgaria, Mateusz Piskorski from Poland, Einārs Graudiņš and Roman Pank- ratov from Latvia), cultural figures (Ukrainian music composer Viktoria Kohana, Serbian actress Ivana Žigon, writer Lev Vershinin), pro-Kremlin Western journal- ists and bloggers (Gábor Stir, Thomas Reper, Robert Stein). Most of these individ- uals did not appear on television programs until August 2020.

4 • Belarusian commentators are employees of state institutions or pro- government organizations.

Belarusian citizens introduced on air as commentators on political events were employees of state research institutions (Alexey Avdonin, Vitaly Demirov, Andrey Chernobay, Valery Prozorov), state functionaries in the media sphere (Dmitry Zhuk, Vladimir Pertsov, Marat Markov), representatives of pro-government orga- nizations and associations (Yuri Voskresensky, Vadim Borovik, Gennady Davydko), political writers, and frequent guests of pro-Kremlin media (Andrei Ivanov, Alexey Dzermant, Dmitry Belyakov, etc.).

• Recurring pro-Kremlin propaganda narratives because of a particular selection of speakers.

All “expert” commentary supported official messages and promoted many of the most frequently encountered conspiracy theories and pro-Kremlin propaganda narratives. The most frequent of these concerned aggression of Western states against Belarus; the vassal status of Lithuania and Poland and their socio-eco- nomic degradation; the destructive and puppet status of Belarusian leaders of movements for fair elections; and Russia’s western attack through Belarus. As part of the conspiracy theories about “color revolutions,” commentators most of- ten referred to a “Ukrainian scenario,” but comparisons with the Yugoslav, Vene- zuelan, and Polish scenarios of the 1980s were also employed.

Editions of the program Kontury: main conclusions

• Most of the “talking heads” are foreigners (53 comments out of 71), largely Russians and Ukrainians. Less often they are well-known pro-Kremlin media specialists and pro-Russian politicians from the Baltic countries and Poland.

As in the case with the program Glavniy efir on Belarus Channel 1, less than a quarter of the comments were made by Belarusians (18 out of 71). That is, it was mostly foreign citizens interpreting Belarusian events. In almost all television programs during the period under review (12 out of 15), most people introduced as external experts were foreigners. In many shows during this period, “expert” comments were provided exclusively by foreign citizens.

At times this took on particularly absurd forms. In a story about the protests by Belarusian doctors on August 23, 2020, all three comments were provided by

5 Russian medical workers and Russian MPs who indicated what should and can- not be done by Belarusian medical specialists.

Commentators from Belarus’s neighboring countries outside Russia and Ukraine included the marginal pro-Russian Polish politician Mateusz Piskorski, edi- tor-in-chief of Sputnik Lithuania Marat Kasem, and pro-Russian Latvian politician and MEP Tatiana Zhdanok.

• Dominance of Russian and Ukrainian propagandists and public figures (44 comments out of 71).

Most of the Russians and Ukrainians commenting on political events in Belarus either were not featured on the channel’s news programs at all or appeared on air rarely until August 2020.

Many of them are well-known pro-Kremlin propagandists who have commented on events in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet countries (and not only) for many years. Following the elections on August 9, 2020 in Belarus, they immedi- ately requalified as “experts” on Belarus without any expertise.

These included Armen Gasparyan, Alexander Sosnovsky, Vladimir Solovyov, Alex- ander Malkevich, Vladimir Kornilov, and other frequent participants on or hosts of their own Russian political shows.

• Regular involvement of commentators who are associated with systematic anti-Belarusian propaganda activities.

Among these are the Russian politician Sergey Baburin, the Russian public figure Stanislav Byshok, and the Belarusian public figure Sergey Lushch. These indi- viduals are associated with the Belarusian regional network of propaganda and disinformation sites. During this period, editors of other pro-Kremlin resources that regularly post disinformation and propaganda on Belarus – Marat Kasem (Sputnik Lithuania), Semyon Uralov (Sonar-2050) – also acted as specialists on the program Kontury.

• Almost all people of Belarusian origin who acted as commentators on events are political writers or regular guests of pro-Kremlin propaganda resources that systematically disseminate anti-Belarusian, anti-Ukrainian, and anti-Western propaganda.

Among these are Dmitry Belyakov, Alexey Avdonin, Alexey Dzermant, and Yuri Voskresensky. In the period under review only one brief commentary on Kontu- ry was not complimentary towards the Belarusian authorities and its author is not grouped with those speaking on pro-Kremlin resources (comment by Grigory

6 Kostusev on violations of the Belarusian constitution). At times, the television shows did not air the names and positions of Belarusian functionaries, likely to create the appearance of a comment coming from a “common citizen.” 1

• As a result of the particular selection of commentators, their reporting contained recurring pro-Kremlin propaganda and conspiracy.

They broadcast classic propaganda messages about hostile Western countries (and the West in general) who want to destabilize Belarus and launch a “color revolution,” about the puppet status of all participants and leaders of the Belar- usian movement for fair elections, the non-sovereign status of European states, socio-economic degradation in the Baltic countries and Poland, among others.

Editions of the program Nedelya: main conclusions

• Frequent use of Russian propagandists and political and public figures (over 20 comments).

Belarusian commentators provided almost a half of comments which is approx- imately twice that of Glavniy efir and Kontury for the period under review. Most of the remaining comments were given by Russian and Ukrainian speakers. At the same time Nedelya turned to Ukrainian speakers far less often than Glavniy Efir – pro-Kremlin Ukrainian journalists and bloggers (Olesya Medvedeva, Anton Savichev), political writers (Ruslan Bortnik, Alexey Yakubin, Sergey Shabovta), and politicians (Petr Simonenko, Natalia Korolevskaya).

As in the case of Belarus Channel 1 and ONT programs, many speakers were either not present until August 2020, or rarely appeared. Several well-known Russian propagandists (Vladimir Solovyov, Margarita Simonyan, Sergey Mikheev), politicians (Gennady Zyuganov, Leonid Kalashnikov), and frequent commentators for pro-Kremlin media (Elena Ponomareva, Nikolai Mezhevich) served as experts and commentators on the Belarusian events.

• Episodic western countries’ citizens (around 10 recordings) disseminating messages of the Belarusian authorities.

They were either marginal foreign pro-Russian politicians (Artūrs Rubiks from Latvia, Mateusz Piskorski from Poland, Albert Santin from Spain), foreign businessmen with connections to Belarus (Andreas Miller), or well-known pro-

1 For example, the Kontury program from August 16, 2020 featured commentary from Yegor Makarevich, chairman of the Youth Parliament at the National Assembly of Belarus, as if he were an ordinary participant at a pro-government rally..

7 Kremlin propagandists (Yakov Kedmi). In rare cases they were private individuals whose surnames and affiliations were not announced.

A statement by a representative of the Social Democratic Party of Austria, David Stockinger, regarding the manipulative nature of Telegram channels drew sharp public criticism from the party.

• Two basic categories of Belarusian commentators.

Belarusian commentators were mainly representatives of pro-government orga- nizations (head of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union Mikhail Degtyarenko, first secretary of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union Dmitry Voronyuk, dep- uty head of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus Elena Mankevich, head of EcooM Sergey Musienko, etc.) and employees of state educational and research institutions (Alexander Mushta, Nikolai Shchekin, Alexey Dzermant, Alexander Ivanovsky, Vasily Gursky, Vadim Gigin, etc.).

Often, STV did not specify the affiliation of commentators. For example, the head of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRYU), Mikhail Degtyarenko, was fre- quently introduced as “a student in the philological department at Belarusian State University,” and the head of EcooM Sergey Musienko, head of the sociology department of the National Academy of Sciences Nikolai Shchekin, employee of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus Alexander Ivanovsky were identified as “political scientists.”

• A collection of recurring propaganda messages regarding Western coun- tries, Ukraine, and Belarus.

The specific set of commentators predetermines the propagandistic and manipu- lative nature of their statements. The most frequent propaganda messages were statements about the mass protests being Western provocations and techniques of “color revolutions”; the puppet status of leaders and participants in the move- ment for fair elections; the absence of Ukraine’s sovereignty and its total so- cio-economic degradation, authoritarianism, and the absence of fair elections; the aloofness of ruling elites from Western countries; and an alliance with Russia as the only possible option for Belarus’s successful development.

8 Nationality of commentators

9 Belarus Channel 1, editions of the news program Glavniy efir

Glavniy efir, August 16, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Viktoriya Kokhana, Everyone is jealous of Belarusians. Peace Ukrainian music com- composer (Ukraine) and tranquility flourish in the country. Bela- poser rusians should appreciate and cherish this. There is nothing better than Belarus. Vladimir Solovyov, Belarusians should not allow their country to Russian propagandist, journalist, television be stolen, should not follow a path towards talk-show host for presenter (Russia) civil war, and should not listen to Western Evening with Vladimir propagandists and the media who live on Solovyov American money. They should not fall into Russophobia. Oleg Morozov, Outside forces, according to Sharp’s meth- Russian MP member of the Federa- od, work to demolish power. The elections tion Council Committee have nothing to do with it. They want to on International Affairs destroy the economy, implement a Ukrainian of Russia, professor at scenario, and deprive Belarus of its sover- the Russian Economic eignty. University Vladimir Kornilov, Poland is looking forward to the moment Russian propagandist political scientist when it will be possible to wrest Belarus of Ukrainian heritage, from Russian influence. This is analogous independent guest of to Maidan with the events in Georgia (2003) pro-Kremlin media. and Ukraine (2004). One must learn from the Columnist for the In- mistakes of others. ternational Information Agency Russia Today. Svetlana Kryukova, An entire flight from Kyiv to Minsk was Ukrainian journalist, journalist (Ukraine) packed with Ukrainians who were traveling deputy chief editor of to work at the rally. I understood this from the the pro-Russian me- passengers’ conversations among them- dia outlet Strana.ua selves. Yuri Voskresenskiy, The Moscow political scientists Dmitriy Pro-government activ- Member of the civ- Bolkunets and Andrey Suzdaltsev worked ist, frequent guest of ic initiative of Viktor through Facebook to destabilize the political propaganda programs Babariko (in the pro- situation in Belarus on the eve of elections. of Belarusian govern- gram introduced as an They gave a bribe of 30K rubles for the sup- ment media organizer of protests port of democracy. in the Uruche region of Minsk)

10 Vadim Borovik, The most important thing is peace in the Belarusian propagan- political scientist country. Actions that can lead to material dist, chairman of the damage and damage to the lives of citizens Supervisory Board of are unacceptable. the Belarusian Com- mittee of Youth Orga- nizations Yuri Tkachev, In politics, it is possible to come to an agree- Ukrainian propagan- Chief editor of the pub- ment on the street, but this will not lead to a dist, regular commen- lication Timer resolution of the crisis. A Maidan is possible tator for pro-Kremlin in Belarus – it is a matter of technology and media, including (Ukraine) how people are led by it. After the Maidan, Ukraina.ru Ukraine was worse off. After the change of power, a crisis in Belarus is inevitable. Lev Vershinin, There is discontent in Belarus, but a minority Pro-Kremlin writer writer, political writer, voted against Lukashenko (young people who lived earlier in political consultant and those who wanted to be wealthier). Israel and Ukraine (Spain) Human values are empty, and the opposition candidates’ platforms were about nothing. Babariko was “spinning complete nonsense.” Tikhanovskaya wanted to destroy the health care system. Tsepkalo had no program at all. They were counting on the overthrow of the government, as in Ukraine.

Glavniy efir, August 23, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Alexei Avdonin, NATO is building up its strength to capture Belarusian propa- analyst, Belarusian part of Belarus. This is a violation of inter- gandist, independent Institute for Strategic national law and the sovereignty of Belarus. guest for pro-Kremlin Research Now all the main players will try to balance media this situation and transfer it to a diplomatic channel. Sergey Mikheev, polit- In Belarus, we have a classic scenario of a Well-known pro-Krem- ical scientist (Russia) “color revolution” with external support. The lin propagandist, goal is to involve Belarus in the NATO zone of television and radio influence. What will happen to the economy presenter and so on does not concern those orchestrat- ing this. Strikes are suicide.

11 Petr Symonenko, The driving force behind the Belarusian pro- Ukrainian politician, First Secretary of the tests is hidden capital and nationalists who head of the Ukrainian Central Committee of write in underground street passages that the Communist Party the Communist Party communists should be hanged and are trying of Ukraine to seize administrative buildings. In Belarus, like in Ukraine, there is paid patriotism. They sell their homeland, the graves of their fathers and grandfathers, their history, culture, and faith. Roman Babayan, The Belarusian actions are a copy of the Yu- Well-known pro-Krem- Chief editor of the radio goslav events during the Milosevic era. There lin propagandist and station Moscow Speak- will be no Milosevic, but Yugoslavia itself is television presenter, ing (Russia) disappearing. host of the political talk show My Own Truth on the TV Center channel Andrey Ivanov, politi- The protests are following the Venezuelan Pro-Kremlin Belaru- cian, civic activist scenario with all kinds of provocations possi- sian activist, head of ble. the initiative group of the Fatherland political party Igor Korotchenko, Everything is happening according to the Well-known Russian journalist, Chief editor Polish scenario of the ‘80s with an attempt to propagandist, appear- of the magazine Na- involve labor collectives. Warsaw’s interest is ing often in pro-Krem- tional Defense (Russia) in undermining the internal political situation lin media as a military in Belarus by initiating mass protests at facto- expert ries. It is not Tikhanovskaya who is speaking to Belarus, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. “Tikhanovskaya is just putty in skillful Lithuanian hands.” Mikhail Dobkin, for- At the flick of a switch once prosperous states Ukrainian politician mer MP for the turn into hotbeds of revolution and lawless- Verkhovna Rada of ness and a life of safety becomes impossible. Ukraine David Kainrath, In the German-language media, all events are Austrian citizen, mem- political scientist (Aus- presented as one-sided. They do not sympa- ber of an alternative tria) thize with the Belarusian authorities. Either observation group on nothing or it is all bad. The problem of Bela- the Russian vote on rus is in its location in a geopolitical hot spot. amendments to the NATO and Russia have their own interests in 2020 Constitution Belarus. Ivo Hristov, The events that took place in Belarus are not Pro-Russian Bulgarian Bulgarian MP a campaign against Lukashenko but attempts politician to split Belarus from Russia and create a cor- don sanitaire from the Baltic to the Black Sea. In modern Belarus, the standard of living and social guarantees is higher than in Russia or the Baltic countries. If the social welfare program is abandoned, the country will face either a dying out of its population (Baltic states) or its outflow to other states (Ukraine).

12 Konstantin Bonda- When there is discord in a society, “well-wish- Ukrainian political writ- renko, ers” appear who turn people against one er, independent com- political scientist, another, supporting one side for the princi- mentator for pro-Krem- head of the foundation ple of “divide and rule.” Belarus is the only lin media, including Ukrainian Politics remaining social state in Europe. If it moves Sputnik Belarus away from this policy, it will face shocking consequences. Vladimir Mamontov, Tikhanovskaya is either an actress or knows Russian propagandist, Soviet and Russian nothing. She has an anti-Russian platform. independent commen- journalist, general tator for pro-Kremlin director of the radio media, including station Moscow Speak- Sputnik Belarus. ing Co-chairman of the Druz’ya-Syabry (trans. note – Friends in RUS and BEL) society Sergey Lavrov, Minis- With the assistance of Belarus, external forc- High-ranking Russian ter of Foreign Affairs of es want to master the geopolitical space. One bureaucrat Russia must not follow their lead. Alexey Gromyko, It is staggering how external forces interfere Russian political scien- Director of the Institute in the internal affairs of Belarus. Lithuania and tist, frequent commen- of Europe of the Rus- Poland are playing a hypocritical game. The tator for pro-Kremlin sian Academy of Sci- radicals could take over, and this will lead to media ences, PhD in political collapse. There is no command in the EAEU. science If Belarus joins the EU, nothing will be left of industry and their role in the international arena will diminish. Vladimir Kornilov, Bernard-Henri Levy is a well-known pro- Russian propagandist Ukrainian and Rus- ponent of all Maidans and riots where a of Ukrainian heritage, sian political scientist, pro-Western coup takes place. He is a har- independent guest for journalist binger of blood and war. European leaders pro-Kremlin media. urge people not to interfere in the affairs of Columnist for MIA Belarus, but they themselves allocate mil- Russia Today. lions to support the Belarusian opposition. Instructions on how to break paddy wagons and resist the police. The brutality of the riot police is justified and in the EU the police are more brutal. All Donbas residents would have drowned the Maidan in blood if they knew what would happen next. Pyotr Svoik, Businesses with foreign investors are not Pro-Russian Kazakh economist (Kazakh- going on strike. They understand that nothing political figure stan) will come of it. The prospects of Belarus lie in a new Constitution, as Lukashenko dis- cussed. Nikolay Mezhevich, Any strikes would result in a drop in the coun- Russian propagandist, Head of the Center for try’s GDP. By harming the state, the strikers frequent commentator Belarusian Studies of harm themselves. for pro-Kremlin media the Institute of Europe at the Russian Acade- my of Sciences

13 Alexander Per- Minsk is a reliable negotiating platform for Russian military ana- endzhiev, other countries (Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, lyst military political scien- etc.). Its disappearance will be a blow to tist, associate profes- stability for the entire post-Soviet space and sor of the department even for the whole of Eurasia. of political science and sociology, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics

Glavniy efir, August 30, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Semyon Bagdasarov The center of destabilization of the political Russian propagan- and situation in Belarus is in many European dists, frequent partici- Sergey Karnaukhov defense ministries, where information war pants in political shows (neither one introduced) units have been working for a long time. They on Russian television are working on information and psychological channels influence on Belarusians, which under cur- rent conditions is more effective than the use of weapons. Maksim Borodenko, Warsaw and Vilnius are the conductors of Russian specialist, researcher, Institute American interests in Europe. The U.S. columnist for Eurasia. of Economics at the opposes the restoration of dialogue between Expert Russian Academy of Russia and the countries of old Europe. Sciences Poland seeks to include Belarus in its sphere of influence, to use the country as a source of natural and labor resources. Petr Petrovskiy, The social group of protest is narrow. Class Belarusian propagan- political analyst interest is visible and aimed at rejection of dist, frequent com- social solidarity. mentator for Belaru- sian government and pro-Kremlin media Mykola Azarov, We must appreciate what we have, not listen Former Ukrainian Former Prime Minister to Polish and Lithuanian fairy tales. Poland bureaucrat, currently of Ukraine and Lithuania want to see Belarus weakened residing in Russia and collapsed like Ukraine. Alexander Malkevich The work of foreign agents (Nexta, Radio Russian propagandist, (not introduced) Liberty, Voice of America, Present Tense) is editor of the “USA aimed at distorting real information. Nexta’s Really” website editorial staff consists of dozens of people.

14 Ivana Žigon, In Belarus there is order and everyday life. Serbian actress Head of the ensemble You yourself are breaking your dam. Yugosla- Kosovskie Peonies, via stood under Western bombs and pursued People’s Actress of a “color revolution.” We lost land, factories Serbia – everything was sold, and our glorious army was destroyed. The forces followed the spread of their armies and bases.

Glavniy efir, September 6, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Armen Gasparyan, Russia and Belarus have brotherly relations. Well-known Russian journalist, historian, Lukashenko needs to regain the confidence propagandist, frequent writer (Russia) of young people. Outside forces planned guest of pro-Kremlin a means of “perfect assault,” a Ukrainian media scenario. They want to turn Belarus into a hotbed of instability and make it a pawn in someone else’s game. Olesiya Medvedeva, The strike has come to naught as has the Ukrainian journalist, journalist (Ukraine) blocking of roads. Arkady Babchenko expect- host of the video blog ed more active and radical actions from the Clearly Understand- Belarusians so that later they could come “on able on the pro-Rus- tanks from Belarus to Moscow.” sian media Strana.ua Alexander Sosnovs- The call of the opposition to sabotage the Well-known pro-Krem- kiy, country from within should be regarded as vi- lin propagandist, political scientist, chief olence against the state and society. Behind frequent guest of editor of the web edi- it, aggressive actions begin. This cannot be pro-Kremlin media tion of World Economy tolerated. This is sabotage and a vile initia- (Germany) tive.

Slogans about refusing to buy state goods in Belarus come from National Socialist Germa- ny in the 1930s, when the National Socialists urged Germans not to buy Jewish goods. Yuri Podolyaka, Nexta is trying to destroy the education Pro-Kremlin columnist blogger system and the economy in the interests of of Ukrainian heritage the Poles, who need Belarusians as “disen- franchised stupid cattle who will work on their plantations.” Elena Dyachenko, It is unprofitable for large countries to have Pro-Kremlin Ukrainian political expert strong states here. More convenient is the political commentator (Ukraine) scorched earth and the gray zone, which can be used as a place of confrontation between the West and Russia.

15 Yuri Atamanyuk, Other countries need only raw materials from Ukrainian Major General of the Belarus, but not Belarusian goods. They can public figure, frequent tax police of Ukraine, build only harmful industries in country, but guest of pro-Russian economic expert not an auto industry. television channels Valery Prozorov, The confrontation between Russia and the Employee of the military expert, PhD in West today surpasses even the period of the Research Institute of military science Cold War. Internal and external forces are the Armed Forces of interested in the Syrian-Ukrainian scenario the Republic of Belar- in Belarus. “We are at the stage of the for- us mation of destructive forces, the stage of a hybrid war. The next stage is the preparation and implementation of a coup d’état.” In the world, a center of influence has been created in the figure of the U.S. and the developed countries of Western Europe with the lead- ership of the center controlling the periph- ery. This is opposed by the SCO and BRIC countries.

Glavniy efir, September 13, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Dmitriy Kulikov, Polish and Baltic detachments of fighters Well-known Russian political scientist, trained in Donbas and the scenario of the propagandist, televi- political writer, political “color revolution” in Belarus was supposed sion and radio pre- consultant (Russia) to be the same as in Ukraine. However, the senter blitzkrieg strategy failed. There are no Pol- ish, Lithuanian, German, and British special services. There are national branches of the U.S. intelligence services. They cannot do anything on their own initiative. The Bela- rusian events did not affect processes in Russia, but they were reflected in the minds of Russians. This is the front of the attack on Russia. Mykola Azarov, Over the past 6.5 years, all large businesses Former Ukrainian bu- Former Prime Minister in Ukraine have closed. reaucrat, residing now of Ukraine in Russia Andis Kudors, Until 1991, 70% of Latvian production worked Latvian political scien- political scientist for the military-industrial complex. After the tist collapse of the Soviet Union, these business- es were no longer needed.

16 Yakub Koreyba, The division of Belarus is absurd from the Polish citizen, fre- political scientist (Po- point of view of the interests of Poland. Belar- quent commentator for land) us is needed whole. pro-Kremlin media and participant in political shows on Russian television channels Alena Dziodzina, Repeated phrases (by Maria Kolesnikova) Latvian psychology Master in Psychological are highly psychologically charged. She can commentator Counseling involve listeners in a state of light trance and uses manipulation to influence conscious- ness. Vitaly Demirov, Methods of manipulating consciousness are Employee of a analyst at the Belaru- in demand today. For “color revolutions” they pro-government ana- sian Institute for Strate- have been preparing a “conspiracy net of lytical center gic Studies cells” for years, where people are trained to know how to work with a crowd, or they take ready-made templates.

Glavniy efir, September 20, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Grigoriy Rapota, The union state is useful to people. Everyone Former senior Union Secretary of State of is already used to it and no longer greatly ap- State official the Union State of Be- preciates it. Now we are working on optimiz- larus and Russia ing roadmaps. The issue of the tax scheme has not yet been resolved, but mutual un- derstanding on how to move on has been achieved. Andrey Chernobay, There is no direct military threat to Belarus Employee of a analyst at the Belaru- yet, but there are challenges that need to be pro-government ana- sian Institute for Strate- addressed, since the situation could change lytical center gic Studies at any moment. Vladislav Shurygin, We see attempts by the West to interfere in Russian military politi- Izborsk club member, the affairs of our country at various levels. cal writer military political writer Therefore, the principle of “keep your gun- (Russia) powder dry” must be maintained.

17 Glavniy efir, September 27, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Dmitry Mezentsev, The 6th Forum of the Regions of Belarus and Russian diplomat, for- Ambassador Extraordi- Russia will work on rapprochement of the two mer Russian ambas- nary and Plenipotentia- countries in terms of legislation and at the sador in Belarus ry of Russia to Belarus regional level. It is important to feel a single fatherland from Brest to Sakhalin. Ruslan Bizyaev, The West sees Belarus as an object, not a Ukrainian political writ- analyst at the Ukrainian subject. The current position of the EU is im- er, commentator for Institute of Politics proper. Apart from visa-free travel, the West pro-Kremlin media has nothing to offer Belarus. The economic miracle of Poland is only thanks to EU assis- tance; in its absence it would fall to the level of Belarus, Ukraine, and the Baltic countries. Armen Gasparyan, Western sanctions do not affect anything. Well-known Russian journalist, historian, Russia will never leave Belarus, and vice propagandist, frequent writer (Russia) versa. guest of pro-Kremlin media

Glavniy efir, October 4, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Valentina Matvienko, Russian-Belarusian relations have such a Russian government Chairperson of the solid foundation that no one will be able to figure Federation Council of destroy it. the Federal Assembly of Russia Arthur Krizhanovsky, The Lithuanian authorities did not ask the Writer living in Lithu- Member of the Russian people when they gave Tikhanovskaya asy- ania Speaking Klaipeda lum. All expenses, most likely, came from the committee, Lithuania state budget. Who will cover the losses from the ruined relations with Belarus and reim- burse Klaipeda and its port for lost profits? Einārs Graudiņš, Everything will subside soon in Belarus. The Latvian pro-Russian political scientist, Latvia events on the streets were paid for by the public figure West. Having destroyed the statehood of Be- larus, the West hoped to strike a blow at the geopolitical interests of Russia. In economic terms, Belarus is a prosperous state and is limitless in terms of the potential for theft.

18 Dmitry Vasilets, Sanctions against Belarus are counterpro- Ukrainian journalist journalist, community ductive. Sanctions against Russia, however, who was previously activist (Ukraine) have improved its economy, which is the accused of assisting in same as it will be with Belarus. Judging by the technical setup of Ukraine, the EU’s economic aid has become the YouTube channel more destructive than the sanctions applied Novorossiya TV to Russia. There will be no technology crisis in Belarus. Everything is compensated by China and Russia. Dmitry Dzhangirov, By closing military transit, most likely under Ukrainian political Political consultant the influence of the West, Georgia deprives commentator and political analyst Armenia and Azerbaijan of receiving military (Ukraine) supplies from their main allies – Russia and Turkey. Ilya Kusa, Turkey will not enter the war. It will not apply Ukrainian political Expert, Institute for the to NATO and none of the participating coun- writer Future (Ukraine) tries will want to intervene in this conflict.

Glavniy efir, October 11, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Petr Petrovskiy, Everywhere, including in Bishkek, the same Belarusian propagan- political scientist scheme for a coup d’etat is being worked out dist, frequent com- under the veiled pretext of electoral fraud. mentator for Belaru- sian government and pro-Kremlin media Alexey Dzermant, You cannot succumb to the dictates of the Belarusian propagan- political scientist street. The laws of the crowd operate there. dist, frequent com- As soon as you go over to their side, you lose mentator for Belaru- the respect of your supporters. sian government and pro-Kremlin media. Editor of Imhoclub.by Kurmanbek Bakiev, For 10 years I have felt free and safe in Former president of President of Kyrgyzstan Belarus. Today’s unrest in Kyrgyzstan will set Kyrgyzstan who was (2005-2010) the country back decades. External factors granted asylum in have had a strong influence on Belarus. In Belarus Kyrgyzstan there is unstable leadership and the economy has been crippled by the pan- demic.

For a parliamentary form of government, it is necessary to mature. It takes decades. The Belarusian special services knew everything in advance and were prepared for everything.

19 Vadim Gigin, Lukashenko’s visit is an extraordinary step. Belarusian political Dean of the Faculty of But it is not a weakness – it is the logic of writer, regular partic- Philosophy and Social the future. He thus took the initiative to open ipant in Belarusian Sciences, BSU dialogue. propaganda television programs Gennady Davydko, The protest part of the population does not Belarusian propagan- Chairman of the RPO expect reforms. It lives in emotions and does dist Belaya Rus not want to talk about it meaningfully. Yuri Voskresensky, The authorities are ready for dialogue. The Pro-government ac- political scientist, joint conversation with Lukashenko was very con- tivist, frequent guest staff coordinator structive. I have been instructed to prepare of propagandist pro- proposals for amending the constitution and grams in Belarusian ideas for the release of several people who government media are not as socially dangerous for the country as they seemed at the first stage. Lukashen- ko is a strong man, ready to take a blow. He does not need PR. This meeting is needed by the prisoners themselves. Alexey Mukhin, The conflicts in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russian propagan- General Director of Nagorno-Karabakh did not arise by chance. dist, frequent guest of the Center for Political America needs to divert the world’s atten- pro-Kremlin media Information (Russia) tion from its problems. It ignites where it can ignite. But neither the U.S., nor the UK, nor the EU have complete dominance in world politics. Igor Korotchenko, The name of the current president of Belarus Well-known Russian Editor-in-chief of the could have been any. All the same, an active propagandist, fre- magazine National game of the West would still have arisen. quently appearing in Defense, military expert “Tikhanovskaya is a doll in a bargaining pro-Kremlin media as (Russia) game.” The opposition would not have been a military expert able to take power by legal means, which is why it tried to overthrow power through a color revolution. Yuri Podolyaka, Today Kyrgyzstan is the leader in Maidans. Pro-Kremlin columnist political columnist It has had 3 victorious Maidans, Ukraine has of Ukrainian heritage (Ukraine) had two, and Belarus and Russia have none. Life in the countries where the Maidans have won has become much worse. Mikhail Dobkin, Maidan is technology, evil, and sorrow. For Ukrainian politician former deputy of the Ukraine, it has been a terrible disaster. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

20 Glavniy efir, October 18, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Renat Kuzmin, Ukraine’s national security strategy foresees Ukrainian MP from Deputy of the Verkhov- that the country’s territory could be a battle- the pro-Russian party na Rada of Ukraine field, serving as a training ground for military Opposition platform – clashes between Russia and NATO coun- For Life tries. Ruslan Bizyaev, The West, especially the Baltic countries, Ukrainian political writ- political scientist now need to think not about geopolitical er, commentator for (Ukraine) prospects, but about how to survive. After pro-Kremlin media Lukashenko stops transit, problems will begin there. And the EU is increasingly using the principle of “there is no money, but you stick it out there.” Poland is geopolitically an un- sinkable U.S. aircraft carrier in Europe. That is, for the concept of a united Europe, Poland becomes not a solution, but a problem. Maksim Ravreba, In Ukraine, after the collapse of the USSR, Ukrainian political television journalist, no other heroes were found, except for the writer, commentator blogger (Ukraine) 17th c. Cossacks and the 20th c. Banderites. for pro-Kremlin media, For 20 years the state cultivated this myth, including Ukraina.ru and it was based on a religious calendar. October 14 is the Pokrov Day – the patron saint of the Cossacks. Therefore, “in Bandera Ukraine” this day was declared the Day of the Armed Forces. Banditry flourishes in the country, as there is no strong police force, and the Minister of Internal Affairs is a “mys- terious rogue.”

Glavniy efir, October 25, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Ruslan Bizyaev, The EU will not help anyone now. It cannot Ukrainian political writ- analyst, Ukrainian Insti- solve its own problems. 30% of Klaipeda’s er, commentator for tute for Politics budget depends on Belarusian transit. Belar- pro-Kremlin media us has no profitable economic alternative in the West. Belarusian society understood this, and the protests began to subside. In a crisis, an island of stability is better than a sea of incomprehensible opportunities.

21 Robert Stein, Life is not bad in Belarus. No poverty, no Co-author of the journalist (Germany) oligarchs, good roads and infrastructure, ed- YouTube channel ucation, and social support. Belarus is in first Anti-Spiegel, indepen- place out of 167 countries in various catego- dent commentator for ries. It is unclear what the street demonstra- pro-Kremlin media tors are opposing. Thomas Röper, Belarus is trying to implement a scenario of Co-author of the journalist (Germany) a change of government. Everyone knows YouTube channel who pulls the strings. It is very easy to create Anti-Spiegel, frequent discontent among the population. commentator for pro-Kremlin media Igor Korotchenko, What Tikhanovskaya is doing is calling for Well-known Rus- Chief editor for the the destruction of Belarusian statehood. After sian propagandist, magazine National De- destroying it, chaos would ensue. “There will often appearing in fense (Russia) be a continuous Ukraine, there will be nation- pro-Kremlin media as alism, and people will be killed.” The state is a military expert behind the Belarusian security forces. They are responsible for the people. Therefore, legal constitutional methods of suppressing a “color revolution” are necessary. Vladimir Mamontov, Lukashenko has proved to be a tough nut to Russian propagandist, Director of the radio crack, unlike the corrupt, vacillating Yanu- frequent commentator station Moscow Speak- kovych. for pro-Kremlin me- ing dia, including Sputnik Belarus. Co-chairman of the Druz’ya-Syabry (trans. note – Friends in RUS and BEL) society Sergey Naryshkin, The West began preparing protests long High-ranking Russian Director of the Russian before the elections. In 2019 to early 2020 statesman and military Foreign Intelligence alone, the U.S. directed about $20 million leader Service through various NGOs to organize anti-gov- ernment protests. Andrey Suzdaltsev, If money (of the West) went through Poland, Russian political sci- Deputy Dean of the then it probably did not reach its destination. entist State University of Higher School of Eco- nomics, specialist in Belarus Alexander Goncharov, There is an outflow of foreign investment in Ukrainian economist Director of the Institute Ukraine. Belarus has gone far ahead in its for Ukrainian Economic development of the IT sector and is develop- Development ing cooperation with China, whose economy has continued to grow amid the crisis. One should not count on the help of the West, as it has seen a huge drop in GDP (up to 30%). Ukraine is the poorest European countr and it has nowhere to fall to. Tikhanovskaya made an amateurish statement.

22 Glavniy efir, November 1, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Vadim Borovik, The politicians who push people to protest are Belarusian propa- political scientist afraid to sit down at the negotiating table. Their gandist, Chairman goal is to seize power by any means through of the Supervisory blood, and then they will settle accounts with Board of the Belar- those who got them there. usian Committee of Youth Organizations Dmitry Zhuk, Young people are led to this and they think Belarusian pro- Editor-in-chief of the that there will be changes. In fact, there will be pagandist, edi- publishing house Belar- another redistribution of spheres of influence tor-in-chief of Sovi- us Today among major players. etskaya Belarus Vladimir Pertsov, From the moment Lukashenko visited the Belarusian propa- Director of the rep- pre-trial detention center and the interview with gandist, Minister resentative office of Voskresensky began, radical people began of Information of MTRK Mir in Belarus subversive activities and pro-fascist collabora- Belarus tionist white-red-white flags appeared. Marat Markov In doxing the siloviki they wanted to silence the Belarusian propa- (not introduced) state media. gandist, television presenter Dmitry Belyakov, We have one country, one people, and there is Belarusian propa- Director of the Center nothing to divide. We must sit down for negotia- gandist, frequent for Studying the Pros- tions within the framework of the law. guest of pro-Kremlin pects of EAEU Integra- media tion Mateusz Piskorski, It is already known who is behind the Telegram Polish pro-Kremlin political scientist (Po- channels. They are supervised from Poland politician and propa- land) and linked to Belsat. Belsat itself is funded from gandist Polish, American, and British sources. Alexander Nosovich, Funding comes from non-governmental or- Russian propagan- political scientist (Rus- ganizations in Western countries. These are dist, columnist for sia) German funds, as well as from the EU budget RuBaltic.ru within the framework of the Eastern Partnership projects. There are also confidential funding channels from Poland and Lithuania. Dmitriy Dzhangirov, The Ukrainian judicial system has not under- Ukrainian political political consultant gone much reform and infiltration. It is to a less- commentator (Ukraine) er extent filled with “Soros-ists and liberals.” The instinct of self-preservation is triggered in this system. Their fight against the fifth column is a side effect.

23 Television channel ONT, editions of the new program Kontury

Kontury, August 16, 2020

Name, affiliation (as rep- Short summary of commentary Category resented by the channel)

Sergey Lebedev, Good organization of the Belarusian Russian general, Acting Head of the mission of elec- elections. Secretary of the CIS tion observers for the CIS Pavel Rudyakov, The authorities extended a hand to Commentator of Ukrainian political scientist (Ukraine) those who disagree. heritage, independent guest of pro-Kremlin media Semion Uralov, The crowd is not a subject. It is not Russian propagandist, political scientist (Russia) clear with whom to conduct a dia- editor of Sonor-2050, fre- logue. quent guest of pro-Kremlin media Dmitry Belyakov, Western countries are organizing Belarusian propagan- Director of the Center for a “color revolution” in Belarus. The dist, frequent guest of Studying the Prospects of U.S. gave the signal to European pro-Kremlin media Integration of EAEU Mem- countries to put together an anti-Be- ber States larusian coalition. Andrey Konnov, Methods of manipulation are aimed Russian specialist Head of a communications at overthrowing heads of state. agency Igor Shatrov, New technologies are used in Belar- Russian political writer, Deputy Director of the us to destabilize the situation. independent guest of National Institute for the De- pro-Kremlin media velopment of Contemporary Ideology

Kontury, August 23, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Alexey Avdonin, External forces are interested in de- Belarusian propagan- analyst at the Belarusian In- stabilizing and weakening Belarus. dist, frequent guest of stitute for Strategic Research pro-Kremlin media Alexey Kurinniy, Belarusian doctors should not pro- Russian medical specialist surgeon, PhD in medicine test. People’s health is like a bar- gaining chip in political games.

24 Tatiana Novozemtseva, Doctors must be apolitical and they Russian medical specialist PhD in medicine, Chief Phy- should not attend protests. sician at GAUZ “SP No. 62 DZM” Gennady Onishchenko, Belarusian doctors should not suc- Russian MP and medical Doctor of Medical Sciences, cumb to the destructive policies of specialist Academic at the Russian the so-called opposition. Academy of Sciences, Pro- fessor Vladimir Solovyov, Lukashenko is opposed by support- Russian propagandist, journalist, television and radio ers of Poland. The Belarusian op- host of the talk show presenter (Russia) position leader is announcing stupid Evening with Vladimir things. The Belarusian authorities Solovyov dealt with the protesters harshly and fairly.

Kontury, August 30, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Mykola Azarov, The Belarusian events use methods Former Ukrainian bu- Ukrainian statesman and of a coup d’état. They are a copy of reaucrat now residing in politician, Prime Minister of the first Ukrainian Maidan and the Russia Ukraine (March 2010 - Janu- work of Western foreign special ser- ary 2014) vices. European officials are hypo- critical, and they treat Belarus and Ukraine as second-class countries. There is no evidence of election fraud. Through provocations, the regime will be portrayed as blood- thirsty, as it was in Kyiv. The West- ern-funded Belarusian opposition is lying. Sergey Lavrov, Russia calls on the U.S. and EU High-ranking Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, countries to pay attention to the bureaucrat Russia destructive actions of Poland and Lithuania. They are trying to pro- voke nationalist actions in Belarus. Armen Gasparyan, The Belarusian opposition has no Well-known Russian pro- journalist, political scientist, clear program of action and the Co- pagandist, frequent guest political writer ordination Council does not repre- of pro-Kremlin media sent anyone. Sergey Baburin, Western coordinators are calling Russian politician, politician, public figure on those businesses that the West co-founder of the civic ini- wants to strangle to strike. tiative Union, connected to the network of anti-Be- larusian propaganda

25 Kontury, September 6, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Nikita Danyuk, The poisoning of Navalny is an Russian propagan- Deputy Director of the In- excuse invented by the West to dist, frequent guest of stitute for Strategic Studies increase pressure on Russia to pro-Kremlin media and Forecasts of the Russian intervene in Belarus. People’s Friendship Univer- sity Andrey Slepnev, Western sanctions are inconvenient, High-ranking Russian Minister for Trade of the Eur- but their goals against Belarus and official of the EAEU asian Economic Commission Russia have not been achieved. This is a way of dealing with com- petitors, which is illegal from the point of view of international trade. Pavel Kirilenko, There are comfortable conditions for Ukrainian politician Deputy of the Verkhovna business development in Belarus. Rada of Ukraine of the 7th Lukashenko must stay in power, convocation (2012-2014) as the opposition wants to plunge the country into chaos. The new government will destroy businesses through a coup d’etat. Gennady Zyuganov, The opposition is Western puppets Well-known Russian leader, Russian Communist who want to stifle the sovereignty politician Party of Belarus and destroy factories. It is necessary to fight off the oppo- sition with its criminal and destruc- tive ideas in the same way as the fascists were fought off. Alexey Avdonin, The calls not to pay taxes are Belarusian propagan- analyst at the Belarusian In- intended to destabilize the country. dist, frequent guest of stitute for Strategic Studies After the Maidan and the failed “col- pro-Kremlin media or revolution,” alternative sources of power are being created with the aim of destroying the state. Mikhail Kovalev, The people receive pensions in Belarusian pro-govern- economic analyst state banks. Calls to withdraw de- ment economist posits are absurd and stupid.

26 Kontury, September 13, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Alexey Mukhin, Belarus and Russia are a single po- Russian propagan- General Director, Center for litical organism, therefore attacks on dist, frequent guest of Political Information Belarus are also attacks on Russia. pro-Kremlin media Their goal is not only Belarus, but also Russia. Roman Babayan, There are signs of a color revolu- Russian propagandist Chief editor, radio station tion in Belarus, but not all of them Moscow Speaking coincide with the Yugoslav and Ukrainian events. Nikita Danyuk, Lukashenko is ready for a com- Russian propagan- First Vice-Director of the promise, but within the framework dist, frequent guest of Institute for Strategic Re- of legal procedures and will not be pro-Kremlin media search and Deputy Director pressured by the mob. of the Institute for Strategic Research and Forecasts, Russian People’s Friendship University Alexey Pushkov, Lithuania launched the Belarusian Russian government actor Russian senator “Operation Guaido.” Lithuania took the role of spearhead and totally different forces are holding the shaft Éric Zemmour, What is happening in Belarus is French political writer screenwriter, writer (France) the hand of the CIA. Soros finance and American intelligence services are behind the color revolution. The U.S. and NATO want to destroy the Russian zone. Russia and Belarus are like France and Mali. Marat Kasem, The Party of Poles in Lithuania did Head of the Lithuania Chief Editor of Sputnik Lithu- not support the resolution on Belar- edition of Sputnik ania us, which shows the pluses of hav- ing a normal Lithuanian population. Sergey Lavrov, Tihanovskaya calls for resistance High-ranking Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs for and sanctions. She is affected by official Russia the fact that she is in Vilnius, and Lithuania does not hide its ambi- tions for Belarus. Vladimir Kornilov Biden could become the American Russian propagandist political scientist, journalist, version of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya of Ukrainian heritage, historian and the U.S. will find itself without a independent guest of legitimate president. pro-Kremlin media. Col- umnist for the MIA Russia Today.

27 Kontury, September 20, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Alexander Alesin, During the presidential elections in Belarusian military col- independent military com- Belarus, the West demonstrated umnist mentator military activity aimed at aggravat- ing the situation inside the country. Sergey Lushch, Russia supports Belarus’s course Belarusian propagandist, Co-chairman of the civic ini- towards political transformation, owner of the domain tiative Soyuz deep political reforms, and new for the propaganda site elections. Sozh.info. Chairman of the organizational com- mittee for the pro-Russian Soyuz party. Sergey Markov, Putin clearly supported Lukashenko Russian public figure, political scientist (Russia) and provided guarantees for the independent guest of sovereignty of Belarus and econom- pro-Kremlin media ic assistance.

Kontury, September 27, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Alexey Avdonin, Political technology methods are Belarusian propagan- analyst at the Belarusian In- being used against Belarus to trans- dist, frequent guest of stitute for Strategic Studies form the protest into a radical form. pro-Kremlin media People are being used as meat. Opponents of the ruling government need sacrifices to accuse the gov- ernment of violence. The EU won in the case of Ukraine by getting cheap labor. Western powers bene- fit enormously from revolutions. Armen Gasparyan, The participation of women in Well-known Russian pro- journalist and radio presenter Belarusian protests is a means and pagandist, frequent guest a farce. They have been given a of pro-Kremlin media shameful role and they are pawns in someone else’s game. There is no practical meaning here.

28 Kontury, October 4, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Yuri Voskresenskiy, coordi- Tikhanovskaya, Tsepkalo, and Pro-government activist, nator for the Babariko head- Kolesnikova were led like kittens. frequent guest of pro- quarters They had no political responsibility. paganda programs for Sharp’s methods, NLP, and Erick- Belarusian government sonian hypnosis were used against media the protesters. The destructive plan “Anna” was created with the help of Georgian specialists. Gathering people at polling stations, white ribbons, blocking roads and so on – these are all parts of this plan. Artur Krizhanovsky, Taxpayers want to know why the Writer living in Lithuania (pseudonym – Sergey Lithuanian authorities gave Tikha- Sobolev), member of the novskaya asylum and supports her. Russian-speaking Klaipeda committee, writer, Lithuania Alexander Sosnovsky, There is no unanimity in the EU on Well-known pro-Kremlin political scientist, edi- sanctions against Belarus and Rus- propagandist, frequent tor-in-chief for World Econo- sia. They are symbolic. Lukashenko guest of pro-Kremlin my (Berlin) is not added to the sanctions to media. keep the window for dialogue open.

Tatjana Ždanoka, I did not want to support the resolu- Pro-Russian Latvian polit- Member of European Parlia- tion, which is a clear interference in ical figure ment the sovereign affairs of Belarus. It is a policy of double standards.

Kontury, October 11, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Armen Gasparyan, In Kyrgyzstan, people are used to Well-known Russian pro- political scientist, political writ- changing power this way. Lukashen- pagandist, frequent guest er (Russia) ko’s meeting with political prison- of pro-Kremlin media ers is a strong move. He wants to preserve civil society. Igor Shatrov, All democratic instruments used by Russian political writer, Head of the Expert Council of the Kyrgyz authorities are fake. independent guest of the Fund for Strategic Devel- pro-Kremlin media opment (Russia)

29 Alexander Malkevich, In Kyrgyzstan during the election Russian propagandist, First Deputy Chairman of the campaign some parties engaged in editor of “USA Really” Commission of the Public vote-buying. But there are no ques- website Chamber of Russia for the tions about the organization of the Development of an Informa- elections themselves. tion Society Alexey Avdonin, Kyrgyzstan’s party system has Belarusian propagan- analyst at the Belarusian In- shown its weakness, giving rise to dist, frequent guest of stitute for Strategic Studies external forces organizing “color pro-Kremlin media revolutions” and keeping the coun- try in a state of constant conflict. Nikolai Zlobin, The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is Russian and American President of the Center for beneficial for many countries. Each political writer Global Interests (Russia) is behaving selfishly. This conflict has become the epicenter of the clash of the egoism of large coun- tries. Jānis Kuzins, Lukashenka’s visit to the KGB Latvian politician Co-chairman of the party New pre-trial detention center is historic. Harmony (Latvia) If such decisions were made in the Soviet Union, perhaps it would not have collapsed. Vadim Gigin, Lukashenko’s visit to the KGB jail Belarusian political writ- PhD in history, professor was a risky step. The authorities er, regular participant in have a plan to transform the political Belarusian propaganda system and establish dialogue with television programs the opposition. Stanislav Byshok, Lukashenko’s visit to the KGB jail is Russian propagandist, political scientist (Russia) an unprecedented act. The intensity head of the CIS-EMO or- of the confrontation will decrease, ganization and co-found- and everything will turn toward er of the civic initiative constitutional reform and a peaceful Union, connected to the dialogue between the authorities anti-Belarusian propagan- and the opposition. da network

Sergey Lushch, Lukashenko’s meeting with prison- Belarusian propagandist, Co-chairman of the civic ini- ers is in the interests of the opposi- owner of the domain of tiative Soyuz tion itself and was an initiative of the the propaganda website opposition leaders. It is important Sozh.info. Chairman of that this happened on the eve of the organizing committee constitutional reform. of the pro-Russian Union party Marat Kasem, Lukashenko in the KGB jail shows Head of the Lithuanian Chief editor of the information that Lukashenko is a person who edition of Sputnik agency Sputnik Lithuania can negotiate and who is interested in real constitutional reform.

30 Yuri Voskresensky, It is time to sit down at the negoti- Pro-government activist, political scientist, former ating table and propose changes frequent guest of pro- coordinator of the opposition to the constitution. Sooner or later, paganda programs on headquarters mentally ill people appear in the Belarusian state media crowd. Protest actions must be stopped, and the authorities’ out- stretched hand must be shaken.

Kontury, October 18, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Alexander Alesin, As the threat from Afghanistan Belarusian military ob- military expert fell away, the CSTO was consid- server ered dormant and unnecessary. However, now its importance has increased, and it is helping to fight hybrid warfare. Yuri Voskresensky, They call me a traitor, however I am Pro-government activist, former coordinator of the proposing the election of all govern- frequent guest of pro- headquarters of Victor ment bodies, an independent court, paganda programs on Babariko and the election of the president for Belarusian state media no more than two terms. Mikhail Pogrebinsky, The radical actions of the Belaru- Ukrainian political writer, Director of the Kyiv Center for sian opposition have sharply in- opponent of Viktor Med- Political Studies and Conflict tensified. The only way to keep the vedchuk protest movement from dying is to act radically. Karine Gevorgyan, The scenario is highly twisted, and Russian propagandist of political analyst (Russia) Belarus is part of this scenario. The Armenian heritage authorities and society are interest- ed in stabilizing the situation. Alexander Malkevich, The goal of the opposition, which is Russian propagandist, First Deputy Chairman of the located outside Belarus, is to bring editor of “USA Really” Commission for the devel- the country to the condition of the website opment of information of Ukrainian Maidan. The Belarusians community, media, and mass themselves have no such desire, communications of the public but they are open to manipulation. chamber of Russia Kirill Koktysh, Everything that Tikhanovskaya Russian propagandist of Associate Professor of the threatens now would have already Belarusian heritage, fre- Department of Political Theo- come true if there were forces and quent guest of pro-Krem- ry at MGIMO (Russia) resources. The strike movement lin media collapsed because the opposition was unable to convince workers, and the authorities began to con- duct a propaganda campaign in a timely manner.

31 Vladimir Kuznetsov, (The author of the practical joke: Russian prankster repeat- prankster The Foreign Policy Committee of edly involved in anti-West- the Danish Parliament invited Tikha- ern and anti-Ukrainian novskaya to an online meeting. propaganda activities Instead of her, there was another woman who brought up the topic of the alleged rape of turtles and beavers in Denmark.)

We demonstrate how EU officials behave. Armen Gasparyan, Regarding Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: Well-known Russian pro- political analyst In the 21st century, we devote many pagandist, frequent guest hours of airtime to fools. I have be- of pro-Kremlin media come a specialist in idiots.

In Moldova, during elections, a dirty campaign always begins with compromising evidence, bribery of voters, and so on. Alexey Mukhin, Moldovan labor migrants in Rus- Russian propagan- Director of the Center for sia are a significant political force. dist, frequent guest of Political Information Pro-Western groups of influence pro-Kremlin media cannot offer anything positive to Moldova.

Kontury, October 25, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Pavel Feldman, Western countries are happy to Russian propagandist and Deputy Director of the Insti- support the protests and violence in political writer tute for Strategic Studies and Belarus, because by doing so they Forecasts, Russian People’s undermine their rival’s economy Friendship University (Rus- and take away highly qualified labor sia) resources.

Kontury, November 1, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Mateusz Piskorski, Unlike the Belarusian protests, the Polish pro-Kremlin politi- political scientist, journalist Polish protests have a real so- cian and propagandist (Poland) cio-economic basis. Evgeny Muraev, Zelensky is surrendering the nation- Ukrainian pro-Russian Former Deputy of the Verk- al interests of Ukraine. politician hovna Rada of Ukraine

32 Andrey Krivosheev, There is a huge pro-Romanian Belarusian propagandist Chairman of the Board of the movement in Moldova, which de- Belarusian Union of Journal- nies Moldova as a state and consid- ists ers it part of Romania. There have already been Moldovan Maidans under the leadership of the pro-Ro- manian forces, and the riots will continue. Nikolai Shchekin, Maia Sandu said that if Dodon wins, Head of the Sociology political scientist, PhD in she will go on strike. As Minister Department of the Nation- philosophy of Education, she closed all Rus- al Academy of Sciences, sian-language schools in the coun- propagandist try and all Russian language cours- es in universities. Ruslan Bortnik, Western and Chinese goods took Ukrainian political consul- political consultant (Ukraine) hold of the Ukrainian market. All tant, independent guest of former foreign markets and entire pro-Kremlin media branches of Ukraine have been lost. Dmitry Mezentsev, I am pushing Belarus towards the Russian diplomat, Secre- Ambassador Extraordinary difficult, unpromising times of the tary of State of the Union and Plenipotentiary of Russia 1980-1990s. Putin has consistently State of Belarus and to Belarus supported Belarus. At the last fo- Russia rum, contracts were signed for $750 million. The movement towards Europe is ephemeral – Europe does not give something for nothing.

Kontury, November 8, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Evgeny Minchenko, Biden will continue to put pressure Russian political consult- Director of the International on human rights in the post-Soviet ant Institute of Political Expertise space, however Trump will contin- (Russia) ue to dismantle Europe’s security architecture. Maksim Shevchenko, The Democrats and Biden person- Russian propagandist and political scientist (Russia) ally oversaw the Ukraine issue. The public figure status of Eastern Europe is mainly a topic for the Democratic Party. The U.S. will seek contact with Minsk as part of the creation of a “Greater Eastern Europe.”

33 Alexey Dzermant, The Polish government intervened, Belarusian propagandist, political scientist hoping that the Belarusian events editor of Imhoclub.by would follow a scenario favorable to it and distract from the tension in Polish society. Against the back- ground of Belarus, they would have looked like successful politicians, but this did not work out as planned. Nikolai Shchekin, The Polish authorities stumbled in Head of the department of political scientist their policy towards Belarus. Mora- sociology at the National vetsky even counted Belarusian cit- Academy of Sciences, ies with protests. Poles go out into propagandist the streets not only because of the issue of abortion. There are many other reasons.

Kontury, November 15, 2020

Name, affiliation (as repre- Summary of commentator’s argu- Category sented by the channel) ment Yuri Voskresensky, The leaders of the opposition Coor- Pro-government activist, former coordinator of an op- dinating Council contacted the team frequent guest on pro- position headquarters, busi- of the Round Table of Democratic paganda programs for nessman Forces and sent dozens of propos- government media als to amend the legislation. The mechanism for national dialogue is registered, and I invite all opposition forces to participate. Grigory Kostusev, The current constitution of Belarus Belarusian opposition Chairman of the BPF party has been turned upside down. To politician begin with, we must do everything possible to make the existing consti- tution work.

Kontury, November 22, 2020

Name, affiliation (as rep- Summary of commentator’s argument Category resented by the channel) Mark Ginsburg, Belarus does not need a Maidan. People Ukrainian-American investor (U.S.) do not value stability and security. There businessman are no billionaires in Belarus, there is no division between the rich and the middle class, there are no salary delays. After two Maidans, the Ukrainian economy is comparable to what it could have been after losses from a devastating war. The U.S. has lost the moral right to evaluate elections in other countries. The myth of free speech in America has been dis- pelled.

34 Television channel STV, editions of the program Nedelya

Nedelya, August 16, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel)

Gennady Zyuganov, They are trying to stifle our Belarusian brother Well-known Russian Chairman of the Central through a “color revolution.” A dramatic fate politician Committee of the Com- may await, as happened with the USSR. munist Party of Russia David Stockinger, One must distinguish manipulation from the Austrian politician Representative of the truth. Today, social networks and Telegram Social Democratic Party channels are a threat to young people, hinder- of Austria ing dialogue with the authorities. Their trust is abused, and they are manipulated in by politi- cal groups serving their own interests that want to gain power. Olesia Medvedeva, A pro-Western government in Belarus would Ukrainian journalist, journalist, blogger carry out mass privatization and terminate sub- host of the video sidies. Most Belarusian industry will become blog Clearly Under- scrap metal and there will be no jobs or wages. standable on the pro-Russian media Strana.ua Vladimir Solovyov, Belarusians, do not let them steal your country, Russian propagan- journalist, television and do not move towards discord and civil war, do dist, talk-show host radio presenter (Rus- not fall for Lithuanian, Polish, and American for Evening with sia) tricks, and do not listen to Western media. Vladimir Solovyov

Nedelya, August 23, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Andreas Miller, Rus- Bild writes that a boy under 10 can choose his Foreign business- sian-German, business- gender. They want to overthrow Lukashenko man man for his conservative values. The protesters used Molotov cocktails and were manipulated. Mikhail Degtyarenko, At the protests, there are many young people Head of the BRYU at student of the philologi- who do not have the right to vote and go out BSU cal faculty of BSU for the hype.

35 Gennady Zyuganov, Politically, changes are needed, but those Well-known Russian Chairman of the Central which will involve an improvement in life. You politician Committee of the Com- cannot give the country to strangers who may munist Party destroy it because it is a serious geopolitical force in Europe. The younger generation does not yet know what kind of destruction the “color revolutions” can lead to. Petr Symonenko, There is paid patriotism in Belarus. The oppo- Ukrainian politician, First Secretary of the sition has no clear program. It is not thinking head of the Commu- Central Committee of about the future but is performing the task of nist Party of Ukraine the Communist Party of clearing the area for the true masters. Ukraine Alexey Yakubin, The Coordinating Council is avoiding specify- Ukrainian political political scientist ing what will happen next. They only speak in writer, commentator (Ukraine) general phrases. There is no agreement within for pro-Kremlin me- the Council. dia, including Ukrai- na.ru Yakov Kedmi, Letting the mob establish what it wants is to Well-known political scientist (Israel) repeat the history of Russia in 1917, the Soviet pro-Kremlin propa- Union in 1991, and Ukraine. There is no op- gandist, independent position in Belarus – there are those who are guest of pro-Kremlin dissatisfied. media Boris Yulin, The implementation of the promises of the Russian historian political scientist (Rus- Belarusian opposition will lead to the closure sia) of most industrial enterprises and mass unem- ployment, poverty, and class stratification in society. Ruslan Bortnik, Lukashenko has many supporters. The ab- Ukrainian political political scientist sence of numerous rallies in support of the consultant, inde- (Ukraine) winning side is not a sign of falsification, but a pendent guest of sign of their trust and confidence in authorities. pro-Kremlin media Vasily Gursky, The state is trying with all its might to stabilize Director of a gov- Director of the Institute the situation in the country, and the protesters ernment research of Economics of the and provocateurs shake the people in various institute National Academy of ways, making things worse for themselves. All Sciences, PhD in eco- proposals of the coordination headquarters are nomic sciences not related to improvements and will lead to the loss of jobs.

Nedelya, August 30, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Mikhail Degtyarenko, There are many young people at the protests Head of BRYU at student of the philologi- who do not have the right to vote and go out BSU cal faculty of BSU for the hype.

36 Vladimir Solovyov, Protests are now taking place in different coun- Russian propagan- journalist, television and tries (U.S., Berlin), but no one there demands dist, host of the talk radio presenter (Russia) the resignation of the country’s leadership show Evening with and no one imposes sanctions against these Vladimir Solovyov states. Alexander Pavlovsky, A person manipulates the minds of people by Former Chairman of military expert, PhD in spreading unverified information. People do the State Committee military sciences not know what to believe. Color revolutions, of Border Troops hybrid wars – they throw in information so and former Ambas- people do not know what to believe. It should sador of Belarus to be noted the developed technology of people France from abroad. Sergey Shlapak, Psychological violence, threats, and deni- Belarusian inde- psychologist, teacher gration are used (against teachers regarding pendent sociologist of psychology, kinesiol- election fraud) ogist Ruslan Bortnik, The Belarusian opposition is incapable of Ukrainian political Director of the Ukrainian conducting a political dialogue with the au- consultant, frequent Institute for Politics thorities. Foreign coordinators of the protests guest of pro-Kremlin (Ukraine) want to overthrow the current government to media change the political course of the state. They do not care about the interests of the people. The collapse of the Belarusian economy due to protests may be significantly larger than in Ukraine in 2014. Alexander Tikhansky, Patrolling of the Belarusian borders from the Russian military ex- Professor of the Rus- West is active. The military danger for Belar- pert, propagandist sian Academy of Mili- us lies in the increase and intensification of tary Sciences military risks and challenges from the West, which form a specific military threat for Belar- us. Organizing protests in Belarus is a tactical exercise by the U.S. before using the same methods in protests in Russia. Dmitry Belyakov, The destabilization of Belarus can lead to Belarusian propa- Director of the Center sabotaging the integration processes within gandist, for Studying the Pros- the EEC, undermining the activities of the frequent guest of pects of Integration for CSTO, and stopping the economic train of the pro-Kremlin media EAEU Member States Silk Road. Only Lukashenko and his team can resolve all the issues in the country. We need to work with children. Elena Mankevich, Participation of women in protests is a result Deputy Chairperson Deputy Chairperson of of pressure coming from men. Platforms for of the largest GON- the Federation of Trade negotiations in labor collectives have been GO in Belarus Unions of Belarus created.

37 Nedelya, September 6, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Yuri Voskresenskiy, The white ribbons are from Navalny. The whole Pro-government ac- coordinator of the campaign was built only on emotions and neg- tivist, frequent guest Babariko headquarters ativity towards the country’s leadership. Every- of propaganda pro- one wants change, but there are no specifics. grams in Belarusian The fictitious slogan “Sasha 3%” explains it government media this way: the bigger the lie, the more willingly they believe in it. Young people go out for any scandal except hunger strikes. Sergey Musienko, Those who are leaving the country are those Pro-government Be- political scientist who were ready to leave earlier. larusian sociologist and propagandist Alexey Dzermant, Latushko realized that he would not be the Belarusian propa- political scientist leader and left. Tikhanovskaya does not man- gandist, editor of age the Coordination Council but is subordi- Imhoclub.by nate to the will of external forces and broad- casts exclusively the Polish and Lithuanian agenda. She cannot claim to be a Belarusian politician. Telegram channels will insist on a more radical position for the protesters and there will be a fork in the road when the leaders will have to dissociate themselves. Otherwise, they will face the law and a tough reaction from the state. Artūrs Rubiks, The reorientation of goods from Lithuanian Latvian pro-Russian political scientist (Lat- ports will negatively affect the Lithuanian econ- politician, son of the via) omy. They wanted to make a “color revolution” first secretary of the in Belarus like in Ukraine, but it did not work central committee of out. Europe is not interested in the Belarusian the Communist Party economy. If the opposition comes to power, all of Latvia Alfrēds businesses will be closed, and people will be Rubiks left without work. The modernization of produc- tion promised by the opposition is a complete deception. There are dissatisfied people in Belarus, but there is no opposition as a political force. Nikolai Mezhevich, The reorientation of goods from Lithuanian Russian propa- Director of the Center ports will negatively affect the Lithuanian econ- gandist, frequent for Belarusian Studies omy. Integration with Russia is a critical issue commentator for of the Institute of Eu- for the two states. The entire vertical of Russia pro-Kremlin media rope of the Russian and Belarus is preparing for integration. Academy of Sciences Umberto, Does not understand what the protests are for Foreign citizen Italian living in Belarus and says that everything is fine in Belarus.

38 Sergey Shlapak, There are methods of influencing a person who Belarusian inde- psychologist, teacher is under stress (regarding manipulation through pendent sociologist of psychology, kinesiol- the internet). ogist

Nedelya, September 13, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Margarita Simonyan, The processes are not even controlled from Well-known Russian Editor-in-chief at RT Poland and Lithuania. Lukashenko was very propagandist, edi- sincere during the interview. tor-in-chief at RT Mateusz Piskorski, Warsaw serves as a U.S. contractor in Belar- Polish pro-Kremlin Polish politician, political usian affairs. Polish groups are supported by politician and propa- scientist, political writer Soros. Polish militants with Donbas experience gandist were sent to Minsk. Behind Nexta is a large group of PR people with experience in con- ducting information operations. Sergey Shabovta, Ukraine is dependent on external manage- Ukrainian political Security Expert, ment. The statements of some Ukrainian politi- writer, independent Ukrainian Institute of cians, the hanging of the White-Red-White flag commentator for Politics by the mayor of Kyiv – these are the layouts of pro-Kremlin media interference in the affairs of Belarus. Albert Santin, The protests are monitored and funded by So- Marginal Catalonian General Secretary of ros. Spain, Portugal, and France are satellite politician the Communist Party of countries. Belarusian youth need to listen to Catalonia Lukashenko. In Catalonia, there is unemploy- ment, homelessness. In Belarus you can live and eat, there is education and medicine. If the opposition comes to power, there will be an end to industry and agriculture. There is more democracy in Belarus than in any European country.

Nedelya, September 20, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Igor Chaika, It is unacceptable to change the history of Russian business- Director of Social Pro- the victory in the war and the contribution of men, son of the grams, Iron Birds Motor- the Russian and Belarusian peoples. We will former Russian cycle Club actively fight this. Minister of Justice

39 Sergey Mikheev, politi- Is the collective West ready to accept Belar- Well-known cal scientist (Russia) us on an equal footing? Of course not. Only pro-Kremlin propa- Moscow is ready. The Constitution strength- gandist, television ens the social role of the state in Russia, and and radio presenter the search for a new model is imperative for Russia. Maxim Shevchenko Nekrasov’s great lines were written long before Russian political (not introduced) Lenin and Stalin. The sovereignty of Belarus is writer, television of great importance for the Russian people. presenter Natalia Korolevska, We were responsible for our country, and the Ukrainian parlia- People’s Deputy of the people on the Maidan were engaged in over- mentarian Verkhovna Rada of throwing the system. Methods were employed Ukraine to change the order. And they did not lead to progress – they threw the country back de- cades. I would like to request that Belarusians bear in mind manipulations and that the best indicator of a good life is a person’s refriger- ator. Because of the dictatorship of the Poro- shenko regime, Ukrainians have lost access to their medical system. They prohibit the Russian language in schools and are rewriting history. Nikolay Sushkov, If there were no unemployed people, like in the Senior citizen, vet- WWII veteran USSR, everything would be fine! Each family eran must have three children and all apartments must be made for three children. We need to confirm our president and let him stay for now. Alexey Dzermant, politi- Western countries impose their model of Belarusian propa- cal scientist democracy on other societies. The West has gandist, frequent a sense of its own superiority. They think that contributor to Belar- they have reached the pinnacle of human de- usian government velopment and everyone should accept these and pro-Kremlin models. If you criticize democracy in the West, media. Editor at you will be deprived of your livelihood. Imhoclub.by Vadim Gigin, Modern Western civilization is the heir to the Belarusian political Dean of the Faculty of Roman Empire. It was believed that Rome writer, regular partic- Social Sciences, BSU represents law and civilization, and non-Rome ipant in Belarusian is only barbarians. There are real forces that propaganda televi- are not in the forefront, but which govern coun- sion programs tries, and this is not a conspiracy theory. Many people from France have told me, “Do you really think Macron is in control?” Gennady Gatilov, For some reason, countries condemn the Russian diplomat Permanent Representa- events in Belarus and no attention is paid to tive of Russia to the UN the protests in France, Germany, and the U.S. HRC

40 Natalia Narochnitska- I observed double standards even when the Russian historian ya, Russian historian Serbs were bombed. Democracy has passed and political scientist the peak of its development, like any other system. Elites are oblivious to the population. Public consciousness is being manipulated.

Nedelya, September 27, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Dmitriy Mezentsev, My generation has experienced a great trage- Russian diplomat, Russian Ambassador dy, the death of a great country. Hundreds of now Secretary of thousands of people went out into the streets, State of the Union wanting the best. But the price was the loss State of Belarus of half of the population and territory. Tele- and Russia gram channels against the united fatherland. The protesters break the law and are ruled from abroad. Who benefits from it is clear. EU countries violate partnerships and interfere in internal affairs. Igor Konyakin, In the Union State, we always keep our powder Russian diplomat Russian General Consul dry. in Brest Dmitry Voronyuk, We will voice the thoughts of youth to the head Head of the First Secretary of the of state. pro-government Belarusian Republican association BRYU Youth Union Yegor Makarevich, We are on the verge of constitutional reform Head of a pro-gov- Chairman of the Youth and the voice of young people must be heard. ernment association Parliament under the National Assembly of Belarus Alexander Ivanovsky, Democratic methods are inappropriate for Employee of the Professor of the Depart- people who organize riots and insurrection. Academy of the ment of Legal Informat- My daughter lives in Chicago, in the U.S., and Ministry of Internal ics of the Academy of purchases weapons. Our police force is one of Affairs of Belarus the Ministry of Internal the most humane. From abroad, the descen- Affairs of Belarus dants of (Nazi) police talk about us, which is the height of cynicism. The roughness on the part of the attackers is much harsher than what is given by the police.

41 Nedelya, October 4, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Dmitry Azarov, Gover- Our countries are facing new challenges, and Russian bureafu- nor of the Samara Re- against this background the social distance is crat gion of Russia only narrowing. Petr Petrovskiy, Many of our oppositionists called on Western Belarusian propa- political scientist countries to implement a Yugoslav scenario in gandist, frequent Belarus, and now their followers who have emi- commentator grated to the West are undermining sovereignty for Belarusian and national security. The implementation of government and the Union programs, the EAEU, and the CSTO pro-Kremlin media is the foundation that ensures sovereignty and independence in an emergency geopolitical sit- uation. The Rurikovichs are partly related to the princes of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The 1995 referendum has not been voided. Mohammed Al-Abbar, We are using all our experience to invest and Foreign business- Chairman of the Board build the most modern infrastructure in the man of Directors of Emaar world in Minsk. We have worked in 40 coun- Properties tries from the heart. The President wants to do more for citizens and for the beauty of Belarus. That is why I want to build my house in Belar- us, on the lake. Artūrs Rubiks, Lukashenko was already under sanctions and Latvian pro-Rus- political scientist (Latvia) this did not change anything. The EU imposed sian politician, son sanctions because it decided they were not of the first secre- happy with the elections. tary of the central committee of the Communist Party of Latvia Alfrēds Rubiks Artur Krizhanovsky, Open letter: At whose expense is the banquet? Writer living in member of the Rus- Who pays for Tikhanovskaya’s maintenance? Lithuania sian-Speaking Klaipeda committee

42 Alexander Shpakovs- Up to 30% of detained activists are people Belarusian pro- kiy, previously convicted. “Country for Life” has pagandist, colum- political scientist involved in its activities people who consider nist for Sputnik themselves wronged, who are feeling the re- Belarus, frequent pressive influence of the police. “Coarse court- commentator for yard rhetoric.” The illusion of the possibility of pro-Kremlin media criminal revenge and a return to the ‘90s has been created. The intensification of protests in July-August coincided with a criminal war between the comrades-in-arms of two leaders.

Poles and Lithuanians stabbed us with a knife, but it was not fatal. We have lived under tough- er sanctions. And we built a more successful country than theirs. We, too, could recognize another Polish candidate and start an anti-Pol- ish campaign from Brest, but these are not our methods. Alexey Dzermant, politi- The West is creating pressure to change the Belarusian propa- cal scientist system and bring its henchmen and like-mind- gandist, frequent ed people to power. This is overt interference commentator in in internal affairs. They want to create a puppet Belarusian gov- regime. Navalny’s case is a part of the chain of ernment and anti-Belarusian and anti-Russian events. pro-Kremlin media. Editor at Imhoclub. by Leonid Kalashnikov, The West needs territory and they need a foot- Russian MP Deputy of the State hold against Russia. The West does not need Duma of Russia Belarusian industry or agriculture. No one in the State Duma wants to talk to Tikhanovskaya. Alexander Rahr jour- We have already been through sanctions. Frequent commen- nalist, political scientist The EU wants to show that it supports liberal tator for pro-Krem- (Germany) values. Poland and Lithuania may see Belarus, lin media Ukraine, and Moldova as buffer states against Russia. Yakov Kedmi, Everything that has been happening in Armenia Well-known public figure (Israel) over the past 15 years is an attempt to reorient pro-Kremlin propa- the country. American instructors brought the gandist, frequent Armenian army to this point so let them say guest of pro-Krem- thank you to the Americans and all those who lin media took to the streets. Ilham Aliyev, In Armenia there is aa Soros regime. Pashin- President of Azer- President of Azerbaijan yan is a protege of Soros and the country is in baijan crisis. A coup succeeded in Armenia, however failed in Belarus. Alexander Tikhansky, There was essentially an agreement on Kara- Russian military military-political analyst bakh. The results were visible and the Pash- expert, propagan- inyan government slowed down. Agrees with dist Aliyev that CIA agents are in the government and the army is full of advisers from Canada and the U.S.

43 Denis Bukonkin, Direc- Foreign countries are interested in protests in Belarusian propa- tor of the Center for For- Belarus. Pashinyan is the first president not gandist, political eign Policy and Security from Karabakh. Azerbaijan considers Karabakh writer commentator Studies its own. The situation is being exacerbated by for pro-Kremlin Turkey and France in Karabakh. There is a media threat of regional conflict.

Nedelya, October 11, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Vadim Gigin, The authorities admit that the opposition has Belarusian polit- PhD in historical scienc- supporters. Lukashenko wants opposition-mind- ical writer, regu- es, associate professor ed people to participate in the revision of the lar participant of constitution. Many unexpected political steps Belarusian propa- await us. ganda television programs Igor Tyshkevich, Lukashenko’s visit to the pre-trial detention cen- Blogger of Belaru- blogger ter is a signal to the EU that he is entering into sian heritage dialogue with those whom he considers poten- tial opposition leaders. Alexey Dzermant, There will be no quick effect from the meeting Belarusian propa- Researcher at the phi- in the “American.” (trans. note – slang for the gandist, editor of losophy institute of the isolation detention center in the KGB building in Imhoclub.by National Academy of Minsk). More important is the subject of chang- Sciences of Belarus, ing the constitution through the creation of vari- political scientist ous dialogue platforms through which construc- tive oppositionists need to be involved. Alexander Lukyanov, The video of Lukashenko’s visit to prisoners Civil servant, chair- Chairman of the Youth shows that some of the oppositionists are calm. man of a GONGO Chamber at the Parlia- Lukashenko is initiating negotiations. mentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia Sergey Musienko, Serious dialogue with the opposition was initi- Pro-government Head of the think tank ated in the pre-trial detention center. The first Belarusian sociolo- EcooM agreement was not to disclose the content of gist and propagan- this meeting. dist Alexander Mushta, Kyrgyzstan is another example of a “color rev- Employee of a Leading specialist of the olution” where the interests of the U.S. and its state educational information-political Cen- allies are manifested. Today we are witnessing institution ter of the Academy of an example when the mechanisms of “color Management under the revolutions” can turn against their creators. President of Belarus

44 Alexander Ivanovskiy, This is not about aggravating the situation in Employee of the political scientist individual countries (Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, etc.), Academy of the but about undermining the entire region. The Ministry of Internal technologies of the “color revolutions” were pri- Affairs of Belarus marily developed by the U.S. Now this boomer- ang has returned to them.

Nedelya, October 18, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Alexander Ivanovskiy, The protesters are incredibly intrusive. They Employee of the political scientist interfere with the lives of the rest of the people. Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus

Nedelya, October 25, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Alexander Ivanovskiy, The protesters are incredibly intrusive. They Employee of the political scientist interfere with the lives of the rest of the people. Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus Elena Ponomareva, The Sakharov Prize awarded by the European Russian propa- PhD in political science, Parliament is slippery. Sakharov made great gandist, frequent professor at Moscow efforts to destroy the Soviet system. The Coor- commentator for State Institute for Inter- dinating Council (CC) is dismantling Belarusian pro-Kremlin media national Relations statehood. All its activities can be regarded as an attempt to overthrow the state system and as treason. Taking money from a foreign state, the CC goes about its work. Chatham House interviewed only 899 people. This is an im- proper methodology and political manipulation, an element of information and psychological warfare. Tikhanovskaya, through ultimatums, is trying to revive the protests, which are be- coming more violent and unsafe and in need of sacred sacrifices. Dmitry Belyakov, There are many who want to join volunteer Belarusian propa- leader of the network squads to partially relieve the pressure from the gandist, frequent movement Infospetsnaz security forces. guest of pro-Krem- lin media

45 John Varoli, Biden constantly pressed the topic of the coro- American politi- journalist, political scien- navirus – a failure for Trump – whereas Trump cal writer, regu- tist (U.S.) talked up corruption in the Biden family. Biden lar contribute to has a mafia family. He is like the godfather from pro-Kremlin media the movie. Michael Morgulis, There is evidence of the corruption of the Biden Soviet-American Honorary Consul of Be- family, which he submitted to Congress. This writer larus in the U.S. includes a statement by the former Prosecutor General of Ukraine Shelkin, who Poroshenko removed from office at the insistence of Biden. There are already cases of postal workers throwing out filled ballots. It is possible to de- termine in advance which district will vote for whom. Grigory Ioffe, If you live in an uncontested state and vote for American political professor at Radford Trump (for example, California) – and 40% of writer, sympathetic University Californians could do so – the winner will still to Lukashenko take all the votes, i.e. their opinion will not be taken into account. Biden seems to be a de- pendent person with senile dementia. Pavel Potapeyko, Society in the U.S. is very polarized. This affect- Belarusian political political scientist, Ameri- ed the results of the election. writer, columnist canist for pro-Kremlin media Andrey Rusakovich, Biden will fight for human rights. This wording Employee at the Head of the Department means that U.S. interests will be defended Belarusian State of International Relations in other countries. Trump was considered a University at BSU pragmatist and was not ready to get involved in armed conflicts, but Biden does not rule this out.

Nedelya, November 1, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Dmitry Belyakov, Belarus is the Achilles heel of the Union State. Belarusian propa- Director of the Center for The blow inflicted on it will affect the closure of gandist, frequent Studying the Prospects the EEU and the Union State, and, as a result, guest of pro-Krem- of EAEU Integration this will be a colossal blow to the military poten- lin media tial of the Russian Federation (CSTO). While the U.S. is sorting itself out – reformatting of multiculturalism into nationalism, getting togeth- er the power of the state – it is beneficial for them that there are problems all over the world.

46 Sergey Musiyenko, A massive worldwide movement is being Pro-government political scientist trained under the guidance of artificial intelli- Belarusian sociolo- gence. Oil and gas have dropped out of the gist and propagan- sphere of international politics and need to be dist replaced with something. The signals in Tele- gram channels are control signals. Petr Petrovskiy, We see double standards by the Polish author- Belarusian propa- political scientist ities. When Morawiecki talks about the Belar- gandist, indepen- usian protests, he talks about freedom and dent commentator human rights. His Polish protests are illegal and for Belarusian state are the source of aggression in society. and pro-Kremlin media Nikolai Shchekin, Decrees do not just cause this kind of wave of Head of the sociol- political scientist, PhD in indignation in society where people take to the ogy department at philosophy streets on their own. There is always a leader the National Acad- and a driving force in this big game. Where are emy of Sciences, the democracy and liberal values in Poland propagandist that they are trying to teach us? People have a psychological need for self-realization, for positioning themselves and they do this on the pages of Telegram channels. Alexander Ivanovskiy, Over the past 25-30 years, the number of Employee of the political scientist globalists – those who talk about global gover- MFA Academy in nance and the absence of nation-states – has Belarus been growing. They attack the population of these states. America, a hotbed of such senti- ment, has itself become a victim of globalists.

Nedelya, November 8, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Elena Ponomareva, The winner is not the one who votes, but the Russian propa- Professor, Moscow State one who counts. It is too early to talk about gandist, indepen- Institute of International Biden’s victory. The Americans chose instead a dent commentator Relations, PhD in political vice president (Kamala Harris). She will deter- for pro-Kremlin science, Russia mine the White House policy, since Biden is media prone to illness. In America, a new social sys- tem, mediacracy, is emerging, where social net- works and the media are changing the people’s minds by censoring information. As a result, people do not know what the Trump administra- tion is doing. Soon we will see the decline of the U.S. as a dominant country, which will ultimate- ly make it difficult for everyone.

47 Fedor Povny, Religion turns into ideology when ritual and Belarusian Rector of the parish of prescription, imposed by force, become import- pro-government the Church of All Saints ant for people instead of God. Lukashenko calls religious activist in Minsk himself a faithful Orthodox atheist. He always pronounces the name of God with respect. Sergey Musienko, Many European leaders (e.g., France) trade Pro-government political scientist national interests for interests of transnational Belarusian sociol- corporations or corrupt private businesses. ogist and propa- gandist

Nedelya, November 15, 2020

External commentary of events not available

Nedelya, November 22, 2020

Name, affiliation (as Summary of commentator’s argument Category represented by the channel) Alexander Tikhansky, There is one gap in the Black Sea-Russian belt Russian military military-political analyst – Belarus. Pompeo tried to reorient Belarus to expert, propagan- the West. But if you are a geopolitical enemy, dist then you will remain so. International security has disintegrated and now nothing is holding anyone back. Alexey Belyaev, Even before the start of the elections, the EU Belarusian political scientist, PhD in was betting on reorienting Belarus by stirring up pro-government history internal protest and supporting the Belarusian historian, polit- opposition. The main goal was to destroy rela- ical writer, and tions with Russia. Sanctions became possible commentator during the coronavirus period, when overall for pro-Kremlin economic cooperation in the world decreased. If media there had been no epidemic, then the sanctions would not have been imposed. Sergey Rekeda, Belarus takes on the function of ensuring that no Russian propa- analyst, Director of the military incursions and threats interfere with the gandist, editor of Center for the Study of regulatory process. It has the right to do so by RuBaltic.ru Integration Prospects virtue of Union State agreements. (Russia) Ruslan Bortnik, The sanctions against Belarus are a demonstra- Ukrainian polit- Director of the Ukrainian tion of disappointment that the coup d’etat did ical strategist, Institute for Policy Man- not happen and that Belarus turned to the East. frequent guest agement Analysis The Ukrainian government does not have an of pro-Kremlin independent policy towards Belarus. It is guided media by the position of the West. Belarus has sur- vived foremost thanks to Russia’s assistance, but China’s position has also been important.

48 Anton Savichev, Belarus energy issues are being actively dis- Editor of a Chief editor of VESTI.UA cussed in Ukraine because they use Belarusian Ukrainian pub- fuel. lication with pro-Kremlin edito- rial policy Dmitry Belyakov, The main task of the vigilante is to assist the Belarusian propa- leader of the Infos- police, especially in ideological sense. gandist, petsnaz movement frequent guest of pro-Kremlin media Andrey Lazutkin, They drew [BCHB-symbols] on garbage contain- Belarusian propa- political scientist ers, at large intersections, in industrial zones, gandist, columnist where there is a large flow of people, on tobac- at Imhoclub.by co kiosks. Work needed to be demonstrated not only with protests, but also with target groups.

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