The European Defense Townhall discussion, organized as part of the Munich Security Conference, took place at the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH). The event brought together more than 300 participants to discuss current challenges to European security and priorities for strengthening Europe’s defenses.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the discussion. Other participants included:
- Oana-Silvia Țoiu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania;
- Marcin Bosacki, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland;,
- Benedikt Franke, Munich Security Conference Vice-Chairman and CEO;
- Katarzyna Pisarska, Warsaw Security Forum Chair and Co-Founder.
Key topics included threats to Europe and concrete steps to strengthen European security and make the region safer.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that Europe’s security begins not at its borders but in neighboring countries. She highlighted the threats posed by Russia’s military presence in Belarus, the deployment of nuclear weapons, and the use of Belarusian territory to launch hybrid attacks against European countries.
“Europe’s security does not end at its borders. Belarus is a clear example of this. A country hosting Russian troops, military infrastructure, and nuclear weapons poses a constant threat to NATO’s eastern flank. A free and democratic Belarus would help eliminate this threat. A free Belarus means a peaceful border”, she noted.
A dedicated Q&A session gave participants the opportunity to address the speakers directly and discuss the future of European security.
