‘We need to discourage Putin’ Belarus releases alleged recording of ‘intercepted conversation between Warsaw and Berlin’ about Navalny’s poisoning

During a meeting on September 3, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (Alyaksandr Lukashenka) told Russia’s prime minister that the data confirming Alexey Navalny’s poisoning with a Novichok-type nerve agent was falsified. Lukashenko claimed that Belarusian intelligence had intercepted a conversation between Germany and Poland a few days earlier, suggesting that Navalny was never poisoned. Lukashenko promised to hand over the recording to Russia’s Federal Security Service. The next day, the pro-government Belarusian Telegram channel “Pul Pervogo” published a recording of this alleged conversation. Read the full transcript below.

Warsaw: Hello! Good afternoon, Nick. How are we doing?

Berlin: Everything seems to be [going] according to plan...the materials on Navalny are ready. They will be forwarded to the Chancellor's office. We’re awaiting her statement. 

Warsaw: Is the poisoning definitely confirmed?

Berlin: Listen, Mike, in this case that’s not so important...There’s a war going on...And during war all methods are good.

Warsaw: I agree, we need to discourage Putin from poking his nose into Belarus’ affairs...The most effective way is to drown him in Russia’s problems, and there are many of them! Moreover, they’ll have elections in the near future, voting day in Russia’s regions.

Berlin: That’s what we’re doing. How are things in Belarus in general?

Warsaw: To be honest, not so good. President Lukashenko turned out to be a tough nut to crack. They’re professional and organized. It’s clear that Russia supports them. The officials and the military are loyal to the president. [We’ll discuss] the rest during the meeting, not by phone.

Berlin: Yes, yes, I understand, then I’ll see you later, bye.

Warsaw: Bye.