{"id":181546,"date":"2026-03-30T12:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T09:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/181546\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T13:19:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:19:55","slug":"opposition-leader-urges-lithuania-to-maintain-principled-stance-on-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/181546\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition leader urges Lithuania to maintain principled stance on Belarus"},"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 30, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> Belarusian opposition leader \u015aviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja has urged Vilnius to maintain a principled stance on Minsk and keep sanctions in place until all jailed dissidents are freed, hybrid attacks stop, and Belarusian authorities stop supporting Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The politician made this statement at the Lithuanian Seimas, which is hosting a Belarus-themed roundtable today as part of commemorative events marking to the 108th anniversary of the Belarusian independence proclamation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier today, she participated in a ceremony at Seimas in central Vilnius, where the Belarusian white-red-white national flag was hoisted as a symbol of freedom and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cClearly, [Alaksandar] \u0141uka\u0161enka and his regime cannot be your partners, but the Belarusian people can,\u201d the politician said. \u201cWe are your allies. Especially Belarusians in Lithuania \u2014 they are loyal to your country, they are pro-democratic and they dream of returning home as soon as the opportunity arises. Until then, we count on Lithuania: we hope you will continue to support Belarusians and not place them in the same category as Russians.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarusians don\u2019t have imperial ambitions; they resisted Russia\u2019s war on Ukraine when it sparked, and the majority of them support democratic change and the European future, she stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strengthening the Belarusian community helps boost pro-European sentiment, which is crucial for the future reintegration of Belarus into European space, Cichano\u016dskaja said, stressing that only an independent Belarus free of Russian control can guarantee security for its neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs long as this regime remains in power, it will continue to pose threats to its neighbors. And let us not be na\u00efve: \u0141uka\u0161enka serves Russia. He cannot be trusted or appeased. He has deceived Lithuania, Poland, and the European Union many times before \u2014 and he will do so again,\u201d the politician noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cichano\u016dskaja also acknowledged Lithuania\u2019s support of Belarusian pro-democracy aspirations and expressed gratitude for drawing a clear distinction between the Belarusian people and the regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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