Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claims that the Russian president seeks not just territorial annexation but also loyal regimes and russification. Despite the underground nature of protests in Belarus, she believes people are preparing to rise up. Changes in Belarus could influence Russia, and ongoing repression has not diminished pro-European sentiments among the populace. The Belarusian human rights center Vyasna reports over 50,000 detentions since the 2020 elections, with many Belarusians fleeing to Poland and Lithuania. Tsikhanouskaya emphasizes that the current quietness in Belarus does not indicate defeat but rather preparation for future action.