Was it worth it for Alexander Lukashenko? A European Union that so often struggles to reach consensus on foreign policy was quick to unanimously agree on new sanctions against Belarus over Sunday's forced landing of a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania. More measures could follow after the brazen capture of Roman Protasevich.
Was the 26-year-old journalist and activist – seen making a videotaped confession – such a threat that Minsk felt it was worth it to further alienate the West and scramble a fighter jet to force a commercial carrier to land?
We ask what it says about the unprecedented standoff between Lukashenko and the street since last August's presidential poll. Is the strongman in power since 1994 losing his grip, or is he crazy like a fox?
Produced by Charles Wente, Juliette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.
