February 17, Pozirk. European security would be strengthened by a Belarus that ends its dependence on Russia and becomes a nuclear-free, democratic country, Viktar Babaryka has said on Facebook.
The banker-turned-politician had spent more than five years in prison in a politically-motivated case after challenging Belarus’ long-time ruler Alaksandar Łukašenka in 2020 before he was freed last December under Minsk’s deal with Washington. He was forced to leave Belarus on his release and is now based in Germany.
Babaryka, whose son Eduard is still held behind bars in Belarus, stressed that he is not making any political statements or signaling a decision to remain active in politics.
“I am a manager, and if there is one thing I am good at, it is offering a vision of the future, structuring and shaping the path toward a set goal, assessing and finding the resources for this,” the former prisoner said.
Belarusian sovereignty is limited by the country’s “almost complete dependence” on Russian raw materials, combined with sanctions over its complicity in Russia’s war in Ukraine, Babaryka noted. The removal of non-nuclear status and neutrality clauses from the Constitution led to the deployment of Russian weapons in Belarus, which are controlled by Moscow and turned Belarus into a threat to its neighbors and all of Europe, he added.
Babaryka noted that the current situation is “much worse” than in 2020, but stressed that it is “not hopeless.”
Yesterday, Babaryka and his former campaign manager Maryja Kaleśnikava met Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja and her team members in Berlin to discuss strategic priorities, steps to strengthen pro-democracy forces and improve international coordination.
The meeting also focused on ways to secure the release of jailed Belarusian regime critics, ensure support of Belarusians both inside the country and in exile and advance other initiatives aimed at democratic changes in Belarus, Cichanoŭskaja said on Telegram.
“Together, we continue the fight for the freedom of political prisoners and all Belarusians. We are strongest when united,” the politician stressed on X.
