{"id":174069,"date":"2026-02-03T14:51:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T11:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/174069\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"vilnius-could-help-shape-constructive-dialogue-agenda-with-minsk-kalesnikava","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/174069\/","title":{"rendered":"Vilnius could help shape “constructive\u201d dialogue agenda with Minsk \u2013 Kale\u015bnikava"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Lithuanian government's press office)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 3, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Vilnius could \u201cplay an important role in shaping a constructive negotiating agenda\u201d with Minsk, Belarusian opposition politician Maryja Kale\u015bnikava, who was released from prison last December, told Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga R\u016bginien\u0117.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kale\u015bnikava\u2019s sister Ta\u0107ciana Chomi\u010d of the opposition Coordination Council also participated in the meeting, the Lithuanian government\u2019s press office reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kale\u015bnikava urged Lithuania to continue supporting Washington\u2019s efforts \u201caimed at diplomatic de-escalation in relations with Belarus\u201d and thanked Ruginien\u0117 for Lithuania’s consistent support for exiled Belarusian civil society and pro-democracy forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lithuanian politician stressed that her government prioritizes safeguarding Lithuania’s national security and pledged to keep up pressure on Minsk to secure the release of jailed dissidents. Vilnius \u201csupports the diplomatic efforts of the United States aimed at releasing all political prisoners in Belarus,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kale\u015bnikava, a campaign manager for presidential hopeful Viktar Babaryka in 2020, was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2021 on charges widely seen as politically motivated. She was released in mid-December 2025 along with 122 other prisoners in Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s deal with Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Germany invited Babaryka and Kale\u015bnikava to stay in the country. Kale\u015bnikava had lived in Germany from 2007 to 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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