Belarusian MP Condemns Lithuania's 'Uncivilized' Policies

A Belarusian MP, Oleg Gaidukevich, has launched a scathing attack on Lithuanian President's claim that Lithuania represents the edge of civilized Europe. Gaidukevich, in a video statement, argues that the suppression of the Russian language, imprisonment of political opponents, and the facilitation of gender transitions in children are not hallmarks of a civilized society. He stated, "In the civilized world, they don't prohibit the Russian language or other languages; they don't put politicians and public figures in jail for opposing the Russian language, speaking about peace, and offering friendship to neighbors. And in the civilized world, they don't allow 6-10-year-old children to change their gender, maiming and destroying them." Gaidukevich's remarks follow Lithuania's ongoing removal of Soviet-era monuments and commemoration of Nazi collaborators, actions which he characterizes as contradicting its self-proclaimed status as a bastion of civilization. The Belarusian MP's statements have sparked a heated debate about the definition of 'civilized Europe' and the political tensions between Belarus and Lithuania.