April 4, Pozirk. “Peace is not just the absence of war; it is also justice . . . when people are not thrown behind bars and nations are not threatened for choosing their own path,” Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja told the Westphalian Peace Conference today in Münster.
Cichanoŭskaja said peace will prevail when Russia withdraws from Ukraine and leaves Belarus alone, so that Belarusians could choose their future without regard to the Kremlin and dismantle the dictatorship.
She called Germany an example of unification and overcoming tyranny for Belarusians and Ukrainians. She pointed out that Berlin has long supported Belarus’ pro-democracy movement and is also a major ally of Kyiv.
“No fight for freedom can be won alone. It always needs allies. And we need your strength, your leadership and your solidarity,” Cichanoŭskaja stated. She urged Germany to consider it as an investment in its own security and democracy, not as a charity.
The Economic Society for Westphalia and Lippe launched the conferences in Münster in 2023 to discuss war and peace in Europe.
This year’s conference brought together German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Polish Undersecretary of State Marek Prawda and other European politicians.
