How to Divide Belarus

 

Theoretically Belarus is not too large and has decent borders overall. However, that impression might be misleading.

Overall Belarussian cities seem to cluster in three different areas. 

One is North-East, close to border with Russia. I already suggested in the article about Russia that these areas together with Russian Smolensk should form its own nation. In fact, Russian Civil War era BNR claimed Smolensk as part of their country.

Another one is along the southern border with Ukraine. I mentioned in my series of articles about Ukraine that UNR used to claim these areas as their own. I think they should be transferred to Ukraine.

Finally, there is final cluster on the border with Lithuania. It includes capital Minsk as well as Hrodna.

Hrodna area is the only one in the country that has an overall Belarussian Language majority. Therefore, it can become a basis for a Belarussian state. Sure, such state will be much smaller than current Belarus, but it will be able to have Belarussian as both de-jure and de-facto language. These areas tend to vote for nationalistic candidates.

Alternatively, this area can be given to Lithuania.

Finally, city of Minsk itself. It can be made into its own City-State. Urban Belarussians are much more developed compared to countryside. They are almost like two different countries. Alternatively, it can either join Hrodna-Belarus or Ukraine.

Gomel too can be made into its own City-State instead of joining Ukraine.

Smaller cities in close vicinity of Minsk and Gomel can also be made part of their respective City-States.

Why Divide Belarus

There are two reasons to divide Belarus:

One is to remove The Last Dictator of Europe, Lukashenka from power. Recently Lukashenka completely lost it and now flooding Europe with refugees from middle east. 

However, Lukashenka is popular in the countryside as well as in the north-east of the country. Because of these areas he manages to stay in power despite being despised by young residents of Minsk.

Of course, this division might end up making Lukashenka a dictator of Smolensk-Vitebsk Republic, but it is still better than having him in Minsk.

Belarussian Language

Another reason it to create more appropriate polities. Including the one for Belarussian Language speakers.

Russophone population dominate most spheres of life and Belarussian language is further and further sidelined by Lukashenka regime. 

There are few Belarussian language areas here and there but overall, the country is mostly Russophone.

Some maps are even more radical about current linguistic situation in Belarus.

Out of divided Belarus, only Belarus-Hrodna Republic needs to have Belarussian as official language.

That will put Russophone at ease too. They will stop clinging to Russophone dictators in fear that Belarussian language candidate will remove Russian language as the official one.