“Honorable Speaker of Parliament Jüri Ratas,
Distinguished Members of Parliament,
I understand that a speech by a foreigner in the Estonian parliament is a rare event. It is an honor for me to speak on behalf of Belarusians, who have been fighting for their freedom, independence and European future for more than two years.
Every time when I come to Estonia, I discover new connections between our peoples. I learned that Anton Lutskevich, who stood at the origins of our statehood, studied at Tartu University. In 1918, he initiated the declaration of independence from Russia and became the prime minister of the Belarusian People's Republic.
Estonia was one of the first to recognize the Belarusian People's Republic and established diplomatic relations with it. Not far from here, at 19 Vene Street, the Belarusian embassy was opened, and continued to work even when Belarus was already under Soviet occupation.
One hundred years ago, such a step became possible thanks to Estonian politicians who showed determination and solidarity with our people, despite imperial threats.
Anton Lutskevich fought against the empire, he saw Belarus as a part of the European family. There is also a horrible parallel between the fate of Anton Lutskevich and the fate of the Estonian people. On June 14, 1941, he was exiled to the Gulag camp, where he died. On the same day, 10,000 Estonians were deported to Soviet POW camps. There they shared the tragic fate of many thousands of Belarusians.
During the collapse of the Soviet empire, Estonians and Belarusians managed to regain their independence. And we learn from the Estonians that it is impossible to build a solid state house without respecting one’s own culture and language.
I don’t know Estonian language. But I know a word that every Belarusian will understand: sõber. In Belarusian, the same word sounds similar: siabar. Estonia proved to be our reliable friend.
Dear Minister Urmas Reinsalu,
Dear Marko Mihkelson,
Thank you very much for your friendship. We don't take it for granted. Belarusians see your support and will never forget it.
As you know: I am not a professional politician. Two years ago, I was not interested in politics. But I'm a quick learner. And I learn principles and determination from Estonian politicians.
It was Estonia in the first days after the stolen elections of 2020 that issued a statement not to recognize Lukashenka as the president, and established contact with the democratic forces of Belarus.
Estonia has become the patron of Belarusians at the UN: it organized hearings in the Security Council three times, and recently, thanks to Minister Reinsalu, I represented Belarus at the UN General Assembly. Estonia has set an example for big European countries.
Estonia allocated assistance to Belarusian media and activists. I am asking you: accept more Belarusian students, they will become the elite of New Belarus. By accepting more Belarusians, you gain more friends and invest in the future of relations between our peoples.
The Estonian Parliament was among the first to initiate the creation of a parliamentary group in support of political prisoners and democracy in Belarus. Thank you, dear Mr. Mikhail Lotman, Leo Kunnas, Tarmo Kruusimäe, Helir-Valdor Seeder, Raivo Tamm. I dream of the day when a delegation of the democratically elected parliament of Belarus will arrive in Estonia.
After the start of the war, Estonia started issuing humanitarian visas to Belarusians. I know that a visa ban against Belarusians was discussed in Estonia, but this is a bad idea. It is important to distinguish Belarus from Russia, and Belarusians from the usurping regime of Lukashenka.
Today, my country is actually under occupation, held hostage by two bloodthirsty dictators. Despite the unprecedented terror, Belarusians have continued their struggle for more than two years. Many thousands paid with their freedom, and some with their lives. By their struggle, Belarusians proved that they deserve to live in a democratic country, not in a province on the outskirts of the empire.
Undoubtedly, today our fate is strongly connected with the fate of Ukraine. After the start of the war, one and a half thousand people signed up as volunteers and took part in the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian army. Our partisans stop Russian trains, carry out acts of sabotage and disobedience.
The Russians have so far failed to involve the Belarusian military in the war — this is evidence of strong public resistance. Despite the fact that pro-war propaganda works in Belarus, as in Russia, more than 90% of Belarusians are against joining the war.
I know that Estonia strongly supports Ukraine, and I encourage you to continue to do so. Today, any support for Ukraine is help for free Belarus. But support for free Belarus today is help for Ukraine. Nothing will be a greater sanction for Putin than Free Belarus.
Dear deputies,
The time has come to put an end to the madness started by the dictators. And the most important thing is to stop their impunity.
Last week, the Estonian parliament recognized Putin's regime as terrorist. But don't forget about Lukashenka and his crimes. He cannot be allowed to avoid responsibility.
There will be those who offer appeasement. Concessions. Dialogue. War fatigue will accumulate. It will be tempting to turn the page. This is just what dictators want. And you and I will have to show determination and unity.
Continue economic pressure through sanctions, deprive the regime of resources. It is necessary to close the loopholes of bypassing sanctions and corruption schemes.
Lukashenka and Putin must be deprived of the rostrum at the UN and OSCE. Lukashenka must bear responsibility for the hijacking of the Ryanair plane, the artificial migration crisis, and crimes against humanity. Open cases under universal jurisdiction. A tribunal should be established against Lukashenka and Putin.
Dear friends of Belarus,
I am not asking you to liberate Belarus for us. I understand that democratic changes and the independence of our country are the business of Belarusians themselves. But I am asking you to stay close. Today, more than ever, we need the shoulder of a faithful friend again.
Perhaps 1,350 political prisoners in Belarus are a trifle compared to the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine. Perhaps we don't have the right to complain about torture when rockets are killing children in a neighboring country. But these are all interconnected things. Without a free Belarus, there will be no safe Ukraine. Without a free Belarus, there will be no security in Europe.
I call on Estonia to establish cooperation with the democratic structures of the new Belarus. I call on Estonia to start cooperation with the United Transitional Cabinet, which includes representatives of the main democratic forces.
I hope for your support in international organizations. Support the inclusion of representatives of democratic forces in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe with observer status. Support the initiative to exclude the delegation of the Lukashenko Parliament from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
Join the parliamentary group of friends of democratic Belarus and become godparents for political prisoners. I know that Marko Mihkelson and other deputies met with Daria Losik, the wife of Igor Losik, who was sentenced to 15 years. She was detained last week. She faces 7 years in prison. Their 4-year-old daughter was left without parents. I am asking you: do not stop talking about our political prisoners and take measures for their release.
Dear friends,
One hundred years ago, we showed together that our peoples have the right to their own home. Together we fought the empire. Together we overcame the occupation of the USSR, which was a prison for our peoples. And now we need to unite again to free Europe from tyrants”.
