On September 8–9, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Chief Advisor, Franak Viacorka, visited the Czech Republic to take part in the Conference on Czech Eastern Policy, where he spoke at a panel discussion on Ukraine’s recovery alongside Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, and representatives of the Czech Republic and Estonia. His key message was that Ukraine’s recovery and security are directly linked to Belarus’s future. A democratic Belarus should become a secure northern neighbor of Ukraine, rather than a Russian military staging ground.
A separate discussion, “From Orsha 1514 to Bakhmut and Avdiivka: Why are Belarusians at War Again?”, organized by the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, AMO, and KAS Belarus, focused on Belarus–Ukraine relations and the historical fight against Russian expansion. Mr. Viacorka stressed that solidarity is not the only thing that drives Belarusians to fight for Ukraine today, as Ukraine’s victory is in Belarus’s national interest, as weakening Russian imperialism creates an opportunity for Belarus itself to be liberated.
Joined by the Director of the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic, Kryścina Šyjanok, Mr. Viacorka met with representatives of the Office of the President and the Director General for Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hana Hubáčková. They discussed political prisoners, sanctions policy, and support for Belarus’s democratic forces and Belarusians in the Czech Republic.
The Czech side confirmed that relatives of Belarusians living in the Czech Republic will soon be able to obtain visas, following the agreements reached during Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s meetings with the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petr Macinka, as well as efforts by the Belarusian diaspora.
The parties discussed possible support for the people affected by repression through the International Humanitarian Fund, aid for Belarusian civil society initiatives, and continued cooperation with the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic.
Franak Viacorka also met with civil society and the Belarusian diaspora in Prague.
