Cichanoŭskaja urges Europe to support Belarus and Ukraine

May 13, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said that Europe needs to support Belarus and Ukraine to defeat the “Russian world” imposed by Vladimir Putin and Alaksandr Łukašenka.

She spoke at a town hall event in Germany ahead of the award ceremony for the Charlemagne Prize, which honors contributions to European unity. She congratulated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, this year’s recipient, and said that Belarus and Ukraine are linked by their struggle for freedom.

She denounced the oppression, torture, imprisonment and “hybrid occupation” that the Belarusians face for resisting Łukašenka’s regime and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. She said that thousands of political prisoners, including her husband Siarhiej Cichanoŭski, are held in Belarus for their pro-democratic and anti-war views and actions.

Cichanoŭskaja called for international support for the Belarusian people and their democratic aspirations. She said that peace in Europe hinges on justice and democracy in Belarus.