German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Bellevue Presidential Palace. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya left an entry in the presidential guest book, urging Germany to support Belarus and Ukraine. This is the leaders’ third meeting, following their meetings in December 2020 and November 2021, when they discussed launching a Deutsche Welle program for Belarus (which was done), the migration crisis, and the delivery of vaccines to Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke on the Anti-War Movement in Belarus, encompassing underground resistance that has unfolded in recent months. She told about the activities of rail partisans, who have held dozens of sabotage acts on the railroad. The Belarusian resistance prompted the Kremlin to abandon its plans to capture Kyiv, as Belarus had not become a friendly support area for Russia. The national leader of Belarus also noted that the partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Belarus was propelled by Belarusians’ strong anti-war sentiments. “Belarusians stand against participation in the war and against Lukashenko, who is trying to draw us into it. More than 85% of Belarusians oppose it,” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya stressed.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya added that all Belarusians follow the events in Ukraine and many contribute to the international support for Ukraine, each in their own way. She told about Tsimur Mitskevich, the Kastus Kalinouski battalion, as well as doctors working in Ukraine to save people's lives. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said that pro-European sentiments are growing as many Belarusians are reconsidering their geopolitical views: “We are witnessing growing discontent and even dismay among the establishment, politicization of different groups in society, which have always been passive, even in 2020. Women’s disapproval of the war is particularly strong”.
Steinmeier and Tsikhanouskaya talked about the possible developments and the role of Belarus. The Belarusian leader stressed that Belarus must not become a bargaining chip for Russia in negotiations with the West. It is essential to prevent the loss of Belarus’ sovereignty. Belarusians have to ensure the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Belarus and the collapse of the Lukashenka regime to preserve Belarus’ independence. Steinmeier and Tsikhanouskaya also discussed security guarantees for the new Belarus and Belarus' participation in the potential negotiations.
The national leader of Belarus called Germany to provide urgent assistance to political prisoners, in particular to the detained rail partisans and journalists. She spoke about Maryia Kalesnikava, who had met her 40th birthday behind bars two days before. Steinmeier and Tsikhanouskaya discussed the arrests of independent trade union leaders Aliaksandr Yarashuk and Siarhei Antusevich. The President noted that Germany will continue to support independent trade unions and media in Belarus.
