On the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković.
She thanked Croatia for its support for Belarus’s democratic forces, invitations to the Three Seas Initiative Summits, and contributions to the International Humanitarian Fund that helps Belarusians affected by repression. The IHF has already provided assistance to former political prisoners and victims of repression. Mr. Plenković and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya discussed the continuation of this work.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “We greatly appreciate Croatia’s assistance. For thousands of people who have been released from prison, lost their jobs or their health, or been forced into exile, this support offers a chance to start their lives over. It is crucial that this assistance continues. There is never enough of it.
Arrests and persecution are still taking place in Belarus. Only when all political prisoners have been released and no new arrests or acts of repression have occurred for an extended period will we be able to speak of a genuine change in the regime’s policies. But that has not happened yet.
We also discussed Ukraine. Now, while negotiations are underway, continued support for Ukraine is especially important. Europe must have a seat at the negotiating table. The fate of nations cannot be decided behind their backs. For Belarusians, it is essential that any peace agreement does not cement the status quo in which Belarus remains a de facto Russian satellite.
Belarusian society is ready for democratic change, and many Belarusians see their country’s future in Europe. We must not leave them behind a new Iron Curtain. But we must not give in to the Lukashenka regime either, as it is working with Russia to undermine European unity. We must support the Belarusian people while maintaining pressure on the regime”.
