As a result of events in Ukraine, a Kyiv commentator says, “a large number” of Belarusians has “suddenly come to understand that to be a Russian speaker living outside of Russia is becoming dangerous,” given that Moscow will send “little green men” to “defend” them even without their asking.
On an NR2.com.ua blog today, Vadym Dovnar says that Ukraine has shown Belarusians that one’s own nation and national language can be sources of pride, sparking a volunteer movement in Belarus to train people there, many of whom speak Russian, their national tongue.
That has frightened some Belarusian officials who have moved to shut down such activities, but even if they succeed, they are unlikely to be able to bring Belarusians back to the Russia-centric worldview many of them had only a few weeks or months ago. Ukraine has changed that, Dovnar says.
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Belarusians are now taking increasing pride in their language, their history, and their culture. Some are tattooing themselves with Belarusian symbols, others are putting Belarusian flags on their cards, and there have been cases “when Belarusians have stopped cars” sporting Russian national symbols.
