March 18, Pozirk. As long as Alaksandar Łukašenka is in power, the European Union is in danger, Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja told the Council of the EU in Brussels, according to her Telegram channel.
The meeting brought together member states’ ministers overseeing the EU agenda. The ministers gathered ahead of the upcoming European Council meeting to discuss the Russia’s war against Ukraine, European defense and competitiveness, migration and other issues.
“Just last weekend, we saw hundreds of new attempts by illegal migrants to cross into Poland, Lithuania and Latvia [from Belarus]. This is not just a threat. This is blackmail. Belarus shows that democracy and security go hand in hand: if the government does not respect its people, it will not respect its neighbors,” Cichanoŭskaja said.
Her chief adviser Franak Viačorka told Pozirk that she called on the European ministers to remember: “Russia’s war started in Belarus, not even in 2022, but with the suppression of . . . the pro-European protests in 2020.”
“If we had won then, the situation would be completely different now. If we want to stop [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, Belarus is a key element,” Cichanoŭskaja stated.
“In view of the ongoing negotiations on Ukraine, we must not forget about Belarus . . . We need to take Belarus out of Russia’s control,” she said hours before US President Donald Trump’s call with Putin.
In her opinion, the EU must be present “at these peace talks, because they are not only about Ukraine but about the whole European neighborhood.” “And I ask the EU to be our voice,” Cichanoŭskaja said.
She called on the EU to maintain pressure on Łukašenka’s regime as repression continues and political prisoners are imprisoned. She also urged the ministers to support Lithuania’s referral to the International Criminal Court regarding Belarus’ alleged international crimes.
Furthermore, Cichanoŭskaja said it is crucial to increase support for Belarusian civil society and democratic initiatives. She noted the urgent need to offset the reduction in American aid to preserve Belarusian independent media.
“Strengthening the pro-democracy movement and independent media weakens Russia’s influence, undermines its hybrid war and strengthens the EU’s eastern flank. It is your investment in Europe’s security,” she emphasized.
“We need a comprehensive solution for the thousands of Belarusians in the EU who are effectively stateless, unable to renew their passports or return home. Many face cross-border repression and are [unfairly] tracked by Interpol, while their families in Belarus are intimidated,” the leader added.
