Can Lukashenko Survive Without Putin? | David Marples and Veronica Laputska

In this episode of Talk Eastern Europe, Adam Reichardt speaks with David Marples and Veronica Laputska, authors of the new Oxford University Press book Belarus: What Everyone Needs to Know, about the country that sits at the heart ofEurope's security.They discuss why Belarus is far more than "Russia's puppet state," how the 2020 protests permanently transformed the Belarusian society, why hundreds of thousands have fled into exile, and whether Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s regime can survive if Vladimir Putin weakens.The conversation also examines the Trump administration's renewed engagement with Lukashenka, the continued repression inside Belarus, and what a democratic future mightactually look like.GuestsDavid Marples – University of AlbertaVeronica Laputska – Political scientist and Belarus expertCheck out their book: Belarus: What Everyone Needs toKnow published by Oxford University Press: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/belarus-9780197772959?cc=pl&lang=en&  Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europe magazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major platforms.Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneuropeSubscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates, expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribeFOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/