{"id":109384,"date":"2024-10-14T22:38:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T19:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/109384\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"cichanouskaja-west-should-not-shut-itself-off-from-belarusians","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/109384\/","title":{"rendered":"Cichano\u016dskaja: West must not close itself off to Belarusians"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Press office of \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 14, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja has urged the West not to close itself off to the Belarusians neither physically nor mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the contrary, everything should be done to return the nation to Europe, where it belongs, she has told the Berlin Belarus Future Forum in Berlin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While dictators are isolated and punished with sanctions, the people of Belarus should be supported, she said, according to her press office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She advocated free visas and scholarships for young Belarusians and aid for independent artists and uncensored media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also called on the international community to change its view of Belarus and see it as an opportunity rather than a threat. “Change in Belarus can spark change in Russia and challenge tyrannies worldwide,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We must see Belarus not just as a regime, but as a nation of people who are deeply European. Unlike Russia, Belarus has a documented democratic majority. The choice for Europe wasn\u2019t made for short-term gains, but because of Belarus\u2019s history, culture, and identity,” the opposition leader added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to her, Belarusians do not share Russian imperial mentality, reject Russia’s war in Ukraine and do not want to be part of the “Russian world.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Despite living under terror and propaganda, we have not given up \u2013 we continue to resist,” she asserted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She concluded by saying that without a free Belarus and a free Ukraine, the European project will be incomplete. In her view, Belarus could be a donor of stability and peace in Europe only if it was democratic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“When you live in a democracy, it’s like air. Only when you lose it, you start to suffocate. While in some countries, people take it for granted, in others \u2013 people pay for freedom with their lives. This is why supporting Belarus, standing with Ukraine and defending democracy is so essential,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja is visiting Berlin on October 14\u201315. The Berlin Belarus Future Forum was also attended by National Anti-Crisis Management head Pavie\u0142 \u0141atu\u0161ka, who is the deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet (UTC), as well as the UTC’s foreign affairs representative U\u0142adzimir Astapienka, national revival representative Alina Ko\u016d\u0161yk and head of staff Valeryj Mackievi\u010d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141atu\u0161ka’s press office told Pozirk<\/em> that he plans to meet with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, Economy Minister Robert Habeck and other officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NAM will reportedly hold consultations with the Federal Ministry of Justice on bringing the \u0141uka\u0161enka regime to justice for the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children and on ending the arrest and extradition of Belarusians on the international wanted list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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