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  • Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s press briefing: meeting with refugees, Kastus Kalinouski battalion oath, and the delegation’s visit to Kyiv

    March 26, 2022

    “I spent the last few days in Warsaw with Belarusians and Ukrainians. No words are enough to express all the pain our people are going through. I met with volunteers, visited humanitarian aid storages, and talked to refugee families. The idea that cannot leave me is that war is evil and must be stopped. My team and I will be doing what depends on us, but I ask every Belarusian: do it too. Join the Anti-war Movement. It's not true that you cannot change anything. You can, and you must.

    I met with my friends and colleagues in the democracy movement. I was glad to spend time with Pavel Latushka, Maryia Kalesnikava’s sister Tatsiana Khomich, ByPol members, and the Workers' Movement. I am glad that we stay united and have a mutual understanding. I am glad we speak unanimously. Only in this way can we be heard. 

    International work is extremely important now. When a war begins, it is absolutely critical to have allies. Belarusian independence must not become a bargaining chip or fall victim to geopolitical confrontation. I am working to be the voice of Belarusians and prove to the world that we are a nation, not part of a predatory empire. Today, I will join the address of the President of the United States, Joseph Biden, and I will use this opportunity to speak about the Belarusian issue.

    Over the past few days, I have met with Polish President Duda, Ministers of Interior and Foreign  Affairs, the Speaker of the Parliament, and the leaders of political groups. A working group involving representatives of my Office has already addressed the issue of Belarusian refugees and their legalization in Poland. We will do everything possible in partnership with our Polish friends to let Belarusians feel safe and comfortable in Poland.

    My team is also working on visa issues with Estonia, Czechia, Latvia. Many European countries that have consulates in Belarus continue issuing visas: Spain, France, Germany. Of course, politically persecuted Belarusians are granted visas first. I am asking everyone to be understanding.

    I was happy to hear that Anzhelika Borys’s pretrial restraint was changed, and I am happy for all her relatives. How can I not be happy when a person returns home? But it is not freedom yet. Anzhelika must be acquitted, all charges must be dropped, and those responsible for her illegal detention must be punished. Hopefully, we will soon have contact with Ms. Borys to find out about her wellbeing. If the regime thinks it can start trading political prisoners again, it is wrong. Everyone must be unconditionally released.

    I welcome the volunteers of the Kastus Kalinouski battalion, who yesterday took the oath of allegiance to Belarus. Belarus is proud of you. I know this is a mission for you: you could not stay away while your Motherland is in danger. Many of you sacrificed everything for this cause, and some of you sacrificed the most important thing – your lives. Let us believe that the war will end and Belarus will be free. We all want the same thing – peace and freedom.

    A Belarusian democratic forces’ delegation visited Kyiv. The delegation included Valery Kavaleuski from my Office, Valery Matskevich from the National Anti-Crisis Management, Anatoli Liabedzka, and other colleagues. They had the opportunity to meet with the Belarusian battalion and Ukrainian parliamentarians to express personal support.

    The Lukashenka regime has been deliberately dragging us into the war since it started. Providing territory, airfields, and hospitals mean complicity. Moreover, the state propaganda is aimed at inciting war and enmity to Ukraine. If Lukashenka presents himself as a peacemaker or mediator, do not be fooled: he has done everything to drag Belarus into this war. These days a lot really is at stake. Everyone is wondering whether the Armed Forces will cross the border with Ukraine and join the war. We must do everything to prevent this from happening. War is evil, and our common responsibility is to stop it.

    How do we do that? Share information with the military. Explain the consequences. Take your phone and call all your friends and relatives. Many Belarusians do not even know that Russia, with Lukashenka's support, attacked Ukraine. Share information, distribute underground press, create content, reveal the movements of Russian troops. We cannot take to the streets now, but we can definitely win in the fight against the anti-Belarusian propaganda.

    I am grateful to the Belarusian journalists who came here and continue their work for the good of Belarus. I bow down to you. If there is anything my team or I can do for you, let us know”.


    Photo by Pavel Kritchko 
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