{"id":180241,"date":"2026-03-20T12:54:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/180241\/"},"modified":"2026-03-20T12:54:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T09:54:15","slug":"opposition-leader-urges-nato-envoys-to-maintain-pressure-on-minsk","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/180241\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition leader urges NATO envoys to maintain pressure on Minsk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Cichano\u016dskaja's press office)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 20, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja called for maintaining sanctions against Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka at an informal briefing for NATO member states\u2019 permanent representatives in Brussels yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe very fact that \u0141uka\u0161enka releases people is also a result of such pressure,\u201d the politician argued, noting that sanctions should be viewed not as an end in themselves, but as a tool. \u201cWe have developed a formula: American sanctions to free individuals, and European sanctions to free the country,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European sanctions must lead to systemic change in Belarus, which should no longer pose a threat to its neighbours, Cichano\u016dskaja stressed. She also cited recent consultations between the Belarusian pro-democracy forces and the European Union and the United Kingdom, where it was agreed that \u201cpressure on the regime must continue until a real change comes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus under \u0141uka\u0161enka holds strategic importance for Moscow, as it provides a military foothold near Ukraine, enables potential provocations along the border and could serve as a key instrument for the Kremlin in the event of escalation or possible Russian attacks on the Baltic states, she warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Belarusian ruler remains a key supplier of weapons to Russia, continues to wage a hybrid war against Belarus\u2019 neighbors and remains dependent on Russia\u2019s war in Ukraine, from which he is one of the primary beneficiaries, Cichano\u016dskaja noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia does not see Belarus and Ukraine as independent countries, treating Belarus as an occupied territory, the politician said, noting that Russians need \u0141uka\u0161enka \u201cbecause it is a cheap way to control the whole country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We must not allow Russia to fix its control over Belarus,\u201d she stressed. \u201cI assure you that free Belarus will be the best security guarantee for Ukraine, for Europe and for NATO.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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